Mystery surrounds the details of why 10 South Africans have been arrested and detained in China, with Department of International Relations saying they are hard at work to find out the facts and offer support to the families of those affected.

Although government confirmation has yet to be received it is being reported that the South Africans were travelling on business class on a flight to inner Mongolia and were arrested along with a number of UK citizens. EWN reports:

The Department [of International Relations’] spokesperson Nelson Kgwete says “At the moment we’re going to take advice from our embassy in Beijing on what the nature of the charges are and what the next steps would be.”

Should we put on our Sherlock caps and ponder what circumstances may have led to the arrests? I’m sure I’m not alone in wondering if the charges are at all drug-related, perhaps something along the lines of the South African woman who was carrying drugs into her dreadlocks and was arrested in Thailand back in 2012?

Perhaps the 10 were part of a rhino horn smuggling operation, the demand for which is reportedly increasing across parts of Asia as more and more of our local population is murdered?

Whatever you think it is I suppose only time will tell. We know us Saffas have the ability to constantly surprise, I wouldn’t rule out something completely out of left field.

[source:ewn]