Namibian authorities confirmed the arrests but were reluctant to provide further details on the exact charges faced by the men.

Police spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Hophni Hamufungu, indicated to The Namibian that the two suspects were being handled by immigration officials and appeared in court yesterday.

"I understand they have been arrested for illegal entry after they fled from the airport when some irregularities were detected in their passports," Hamufungu said.

He, however, could not give further details, saying it would be inappropriate for the Police to comment on the work of another agency.

Attempts to obtain comment from immigration officials proved fruitless as the Acting Director, Nkrumah Mushelenga, could not be reached on either his office or mobile phones.

Ministry of Home Affairs spokesperson, Mikka Asino, said he did not have information on the arrests.

Sources told The Namibian that the arrests were conducted by the Police, but that members of intelligence service took the duo to Dordabis where they were detained and interrogated over the weekend.

According to sources, the duo arrived on board an Air Namibia flight from Johannesburg on Friday and did not have any luggage.

They reportedly left their passports at the immigration counter where they were being checked and sneaked out, prompting a manhunt by the Police and security agents.

They were arrested in Windhoek later that day.

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