South African Yacht Crew Detained in Mozambique on Terrorism Suspicions

In an alarming incident on the shores of Mozambique, a three-member South African yacht crew was subjected to a frightening week-long detention after the Mozambican navy mistook them for mercenaries or jihadists. The crew aboard their 56ft yacht had unwittingly sailed too close to an area notorious for ISIS-affiliated militant activities, leading to their apprehension.

As reported, the incident unfolded when the yacht, helmed by 59-year-old skipper Sean Roberts, inadvertently entered a dangerous “no-go” zone along the Mozambican coast while trying to steer clear of strong currents during a journey from Zanzibar to Durban. The region is currently the sphere of influence of an ISIS-linked group that has staged multiple violent attacks in the area.

The yacht soon found itself besieged by a Mozambican naval patrol force. According to Roberts, the situation escalated rapidly with naval force members, armed with assault rifles, firing warning shots and conducting a heavy-handed interrogation, which continued relentlessly for over two days. Roberts recounted the physical ordeal that led to his severe health issues—an indication of the grave treatment meted out to the crew under the guise of national security.

Despite the crew presenting their logbook - which clearly detailed their voyage originating from Zanzibar and not Madagascar, as the officials had accused - the Mozambican officials were not immediately convinced. The yacht crew was fingerprinted, photographed by Interpol, and faced a series of fines before they were permitted to continue with their journey.

This shocking event is a stark reminder of the fragile security situation in the Indian Ocean's coastal regions, particularly around the Cabo Delgado province, where militants have been engaged in an insurgency that poses a direct threat to billion-dollar offshore natural gas projects and regional stability. The conflict in this “red-zone” has drawn the attention and intervention of international peacekeeping forces, including those from the South African National Defense Force (SANDF).

Yachting communities have since been cautioned to avoid the treacherous waters near Cabo Delgado to circumvent any such misunderstandings, which can quickly spiral into life-threatening confrontations. The local authorities are on high alert and any foreign vessel may inadvertently be perceived as a threat in an area marred by conflict and suspicion.

Reports indicate that the crew members are safe following their ordeal, but their experience underscores the need for yacht operators to be acutely aware of regional geopolitical sensitivities and restricted areas to avoid unintentional entanglements with military forces engaged in high-stakes counter-terrorism operations.