South Africa says it is 'taking care' of rebel chief Machar

JOHANNESBURG – The South African government says South Sudan rebel leader Riek Machar remains in South Africa and that it is "taking care" of him.

South Africa's foreign ministry on Wednesday expressed concern about media reports that said Machar is under house arrest. The ministry says it is in constant contact with the government in South Sudan and regional nations about Machar's presence in South Africa.

The ministry says it announced Machar's arrival in South Africa in an Oct. 13 statement.

Machar fled South Sudan in July when fighting erupted among security forces. Under an agreement signed in 2015 that sought to end a civil war, he had been vice president in a fragile national unity government under his rival, President Salva Kiir.