The South African government said on Sunday it was not aware that ousted Haitian President JeanBertrand Aristide was on his way to South Africa, the South African Press Association reported.

A report reaching here on Sunday said that Aristide might take asylum in South Africa.

"We are not aware that Aristide is on his way to South Africa,"South African Foreign Affairs spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa said.

He said that a statement would be issued later on the matter.

Conflicting reports suggested Aristide was heading to Morocco, Panama or South Africa.

South African President Thabo Mbeki visited Haiti early this year during the celebrations of the uprisings against Napoleon's troops, which saw the Caribbean territory become the world's firstblack republic. He donated 10-million rand (1.49 million US dollars) to the celebrations.

He was criticized by the opposition parties at home who questioned how South Africa would benefit from Haiti's celebrations.