Two South Africans captured by pirates

Pretoria - The two people who were abducted by suspected Somali pirates from a yacht in the Indian Ocean have been confirmed as South Africans by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

A third South African is currently under the protection of officials of the South African High Commission in Nairobi.

Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has conveyed her thoughts and prayers to the families during this trying time. The department it was working with its international counterparts in Somalia and rendering consular assistance.

Yesterday, the department said a man who was shot dead by the pirates because he refused to get off the yacht was not a South African citizen.