Minister in Presidency says no proof Hamas delegation in SA

Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni responded to a question posed by a journalist at a post-cabinet briefing in Cape Town on Thursday.

There are reports, including from the SABC's Foreign Editor, that members of the group are in South Africa.

It's alleged they marked yesterday's UN international Day of Solidarity with the People of Palestine in the country.

But Ntshavheni says they know nothing about it.

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"We don't know of a Hamas office in South Africa, so I can't say there's Hamas or there's no Hamas.

"We don't have that type of evidence but there is no UN declaration that classifies Hamas as a terrorist organisation.

"We're not in the business of tracking anyone."

"You have said he had to attend a conference, that conference is not a government conference. I don't know how government must account for people who are coming to attend private conferences that are hosted in the country, if they meet with government we will announce."       

Meanwhile, the government says it's encouraged by the swapping of hostages and prisoners between Israel and Hamas - adding it makes way for a permanent solution into the conflict.