LOUD cheers echoed through the arrivals hall of Cape Town International Airport when Cyril Karabus’s plane landed just before noon yesterday.
His family, old colleagues and members of the public scrambled to the viewing glass to witness the SA Airways plane taxi along the runway.
"I really must thank everybody. Your support has just been fantastic," the 78- year-old, who wore a checked shirt and jeans, told supporters after his arrival.
A group of Cape minstrels spontaneously broke into a jovial song, causing SA Zionist Federation members to grab hands and dance around in circles.
Karabus, a paediatric oncologist had been detained in the United Arab Emirates since August 18, after being sentenced in absentia for the death of a Yemeni girl he treated for leukaemia in 2002.
He was acquitted on March 21, and won a subsequent appeal. His return to South Africa was delayed because he was on the UAE's database as a fugitive from justice.
Karabus then needed to get his pass port back from the relevant authorities, but there were administrative delays. He received his passport on Tuesday afternoon, but his visa had the incorrect date of entry to the UAE, which made it appear as if he had stayed in the country illegally for a period of time.
International Relations Deputy Minister Marius Fransman was at the airport to welcome Karabus home and joined him at a news conference.
Around 100 people gathered in the arrivals hall waiting for Karabus, many wearing T-shirts with his name and mes sages of support.
The group included members of the ANC's Western Cape Chris Hani volunteer initiative and the SA Medical Association.
They came to the airport to support his release, but also out of curiosity.
Ben and Idafey Mervis, aged 69 and 61, said they used to work with Karabus at the Red Cross Children's Hospital.
Idafey was a young radiographer in the nuclear medicine department at the time.
“He’s exactly like the media have said he is. He's got a real strength of char acter,” she said. — Sapa
Ordeal finally ends for Karabus
His family, old colleagues and members of the public scrambled to the viewing glass to witness the SA Airways plane taxi along the runway.
"I really must thank everybody. Your support has just been fantastic," the 78- year-old, who wore a checked shirt and jeans, told supporters after his arrival.
A group of Cape minstrels spontaneously broke into a jovial song, causing SA Zionist Federation members to grab hands and dance around in circles.
Karabus, a paediatric oncologist had been detained in the United Arab Emirates since August 18, after being sentenced in absentia for the death of a Yemeni girl he treated for leukaemia in 2002.
He was acquitted on March 21, and won a subsequent appeal. His return to South Africa was delayed because he was on the UAE's database as a fugitive from justice.
Karabus then needed to get his pass port back from the relevant authorities, but there were administrative delays. He received his passport on Tuesday afternoon, but his visa had the incorrect date of entry to the UAE, which made it appear as if he had stayed in the country illegally for a period of time.
International Relations Deputy Minister Marius Fransman was at the airport to welcome Karabus home and joined him at a news conference.
Around 100 people gathered in the arrivals hall waiting for Karabus, many wearing T-shirts with his name and mes sages of support.
The group included members of the ANC's Western Cape Chris Hani volunteer initiative and the SA Medical Association.
They came to the airport to support his release, but also out of curiosity.
Ben and Idafey Mervis, aged 69 and 61, said they used to work with Karabus at the Red Cross Children's Hospital.
Idafey was a young radiographer in the nuclear medicine department at the time.
“He’s exactly like the media have said he is. He's got a real strength of char acter,” she said. — Sapa
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