Talks are scheduled on Monday between certain companies involved in a string of aviation deals that went wrong in Equatorial Guinea, allegedly causing two South African air crew members to be stranded in the oil-rich West African state.
Within the saga has been an allegation that the two are being held as an "insurance" and that Equatorial Guinea's minister of finance is a partner in one of a string of companies involved in the dispute.
Meanwhile, Nisha Pillay of Johannesburg, whose brother Sechan has not been able to leave the country since November 17 when his passport was seized at Malabo airport, is anxious for him and his colleague Ruwaide Kalvine to come home.
Global Aviation Leasing CEO, Daniel Rosenzweig, said Venatto Trading had a contract to fly one of its aircraft, signed through a deal with Air Quarius.
Venatto was then contracted to fly goods for a local airline, Getra, between the country's island capital Malabo, Bata on the mainland, and Douala in neighbouring Cameroon, said Venatto managing-director Mike Commorant.
Rosenzweig said that when the aircraft had to leave Equatorial Guinea, a Venatto representative physically removed the two from the aircraft.
"He stated he would hold them as an insurance pending the insurance of the aircraft," said Rosenzweig. "Crew cannot be a negotiating chip. This is reprehensible."
Commorant would not comment, except to say "the story is getting twisted", that the allegation was "totally incorrect" and that on Monday morning he was about to go into a meeting with Air Quarius to sort things out.
He said he had battled to meet with Rosenzweig.
Nonetheless, Commorant believed the issue would be resolved.
"It is not a big issue. I am sure it will all be resolved by the close of business today."
Rosenzweig said his company was dealing directly with the department of foreign affairs, which could not be reached for comment - both in Pretoria and in Equatorial Guinea.
Rosenzweig said that Getra - Guinea Ecuatorial de Transportes Aereos - in which Equatorial Guinea's finance minister had a stake, had been flying hazardous materials, arms and ammunition and acting in breach of safety regulations.
The aircraft had left the country to have its brakes repaired, said Rosenzweig.
Meanwhile Pillay's sister said that while she had been assured that her brother was safe and being housed and fed while being kept against his will, he and his colleague could just as well be housed and fed back home.
The two crew members are staying at the home of a member of the South African Embassy. - Sapa