ZIMbobWE seizes US cargo Plane and Mercenaries
GunsssR4ever
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Looks like the release is not going well ... 
Repeated "old news " - removed ..
Repeated "old news " - removed ..
he lawyer for the 62 suspected mercenaries to be freed from prison in Zimbabwe after being accused of planning a coup in Equatorial Guinea does not expect they will be released in a hurry.
Alwyn Griebenow told Sapa on Sunday he would be on the afternoon flight to Harare and on Monday morning would start to establish what was going on.
"I have spoken to the SA embassy in Harare. They say they have been told nothing. They are in the dark."
Asked what he read into the Zimbabwe government saying the men would have to stay in prison a little longer while it verified their true countries of origin, Griebenow said: "I think Zimbabwe is trying to be spiteful right up until the last moment."
He said he would nonetheless be in the Zimbabwe capital indefinitely and did not rule out the possibility that his clients would be deported by truck over the Beit Bridge road border without his being informed.
Such treatment, he said, was "the same as happened to Cosatu (the Congress of SA Trade Unions)".
Cosatu has twice been booted out of Zimbabwe while on fact finding missions in advance of the controversial election at the end of the month.
The first time they were bussed back to Beit Bridge and the second they were returned by airplane.
Griebenow's clients are among an original 70 arrested at Harare International Airport when their plane stopped over to allegedly collect firearms to be used for guarding diamond mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo - or overthrow the government of Equatorial Guinea.
Different countries
Although they were all travelling on South African passports when they were arrested on March 7 last year, it later emerged the men were originally from a number of different countries including Angola, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
xxxxxxx
Alwyn Griebenow told Sapa on Sunday he would be on the afternoon flight to Harare and on Monday morning would start to establish what was going on.
"I have spoken to the SA embassy in Harare. They say they have been told nothing. They are in the dark."
Asked what he read into the Zimbabwe government saying the men would have to stay in prison a little longer while it verified their true countries of origin, Griebenow said: "I think Zimbabwe is trying to be spiteful right up until the last moment."
He said he would nonetheless be in the Zimbabwe capital indefinitely and did not rule out the possibility that his clients would be deported by truck over the Beit Bridge road border without his being informed.
Such treatment, he said, was "the same as happened to Cosatu (the Congress of SA Trade Unions)".
Cosatu has twice been booted out of Zimbabwe while on fact finding missions in advance of the controversial election at the end of the month.
The first time they were bussed back to Beit Bridge and the second they were returned by airplane.
Griebenow's clients are among an original 70 arrested at Harare International Airport when their plane stopped over to allegedly collect firearms to be used for guarding diamond mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo - or overthrow the government of Equatorial Guinea.
Different countries
Although they were all travelling on South African passports when they were arrested on March 7 last year, it later emerged the men were originally from a number of different countries including Angola, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
xxxxxxx
GunsssR4ever
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Release !!!
Eventually !!! 
The guys are released tomorow (at this stage by bus to Bait Bridge ... the pilots 10 May
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_i...41786B253#jump
The guys are released tomorow (at this stage by bus to Bait Bridge ... the pilots 10 May
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_i...41786B253#jump
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AN124
Supposedly. The folks in Zim (excluding S. Mann) were jailed on immigration and aviation charges.
Seems Bobs boys are making it as difficult as possible for the legal team to get them out of Zim...
Supposedly. The folks in Zim (excluding S. Mann) were jailed on immigration and aviation charges.
Seems Bobs boys are making it as difficult as possible for the legal team to get them out of Zim...
GunsssR4ever
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Bad News ..
Some of the 62 South African suspected mercenaries due to have been freed from a Zimbabwean jail this week became tearful upon learning on Thursday morning that their release had been put on hold.
"They are not doing well," said lawyer Alwyn Griebenow from Harare after visiting the men at Chikurubi Prison.
"I broke the news to them this morning. It is a bad feeling when grown men stand before you with tears in their eyes."
The men, who received a four-month reprieve on their sentences last Wednesday after a successful appeal, were due to have been returned home by bus on Tuesday morning.
By the afternoon, however, there was no sign of the men at Beit Bridge (Spell checked thanks cc
)border post where Griebenow and a contingent of journalists were waiting.More here .. : http://www.news24.com/News24/South_A...674527,00.html
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Vok hulle almal.......................
Zim 62 'sunk' by supreme court
23/03/2005 22:29 - (SA)
Cape Town - Zimbabwe's supreme court has granted the country's attorney-general leave to appeal against the early release of more than 60 South Africans held in connection with a botched coup plot in Equatorial Guinea.
Alwyn Griebenow, the South African-based attorney for the men, said the decision meant his clients would have to stay in Zimbabwe's notorious Chikurubi Prison for at least another six weeks.
"They will have to carry on waiting in prison," said Griebenow.
Griebenow said the supreme court was in recess all April. The earliest date for a hearing would be in May - and even this wasn't guaranteed.
Zim 62 'sunk' by supreme court
23/03/2005 22:29 - (SA)
Cape Town - Zimbabwe's supreme court has granted the country's attorney-general leave to appeal against the early release of more than 60 South Africans held in connection with a botched coup plot in Equatorial Guinea.
Alwyn Griebenow, the South African-based attorney for the men, said the decision meant his clients would have to stay in Zimbabwe's notorious Chikurubi Prison for at least another six weeks.
"They will have to carry on waiting in prison," said Griebenow.
Griebenow said the supreme court was in recess all April. The earliest date for a hearing would be in May - and even this wasn't guaranteed.
What Ho Gunss. Beiter and Beiter. 
GunsssR4ever
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Had a luvvllyyy 2 weeks holiday in the Kalahari and West Coast .. sorry did not get to many e-mails at " Loffies Draai" (no water / power ..) catching the drift .. no mails .. mobiles .. net etc ..
Had a mail from one of the girlfriends - she visits today till wednesday so hot news on the way but she does not seems to be very happy
I would have hoped for a reunion by now ...
Had a mail from one of the girlfriends - she visits today till wednesday so hot news on the way but she does not seems to be very happy
I would have hoped for a reunion by now ...
GunsssR4ever
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From S.... in Zim
The supreme court in Zim decided to hear the appeal put forth by the Supreme Court and therefore the guys have to wait in prison until after this court date at least and that most likely will not be until sometime in May. Who knows.
It is just terrible though.
I hope you are well. How was the Kalahari?
GunsssR4ever
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Sad News (again) version 24 and counting ..
From News 24 :
The 62 alleged mercenaries in Zimbabwe are likely to serve their full sentence regardless of the outcome of an appeal against their early release.
Lawyer Alwyn Griebenow said on Thursday: "It is a strong possibility."
He said that as the initial release date was May 11, by the time the appeal was rounded up, they would probably have served their full 12-month sentence.
Zimbabwean court officials confirmed on March 2 that the men were scheduled for immediate release after a successful appeal in the High Court.
More here : http://www.news24.com/News24/South_A...683478,00.html
Lawyer Alwyn Griebenow said on Thursday: "It is a strong possibility."
He said that as the initial release date was May 11, by the time the appeal was rounded up, they would probably have served their full 12-month sentence.
Zimbabwean court officials confirmed on March 2 that the men were scheduled for immediate release after a successful appeal in the High Court.
More here : http://www.news24.com/News24/South_A...683478,00.html
GunsssR4ever
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1 Year is up ...
So this is the good news thread now
One year - so no more bull ... let's hope and pray for their release. Enough is enough.
(Old News taken out to shorten..)
One year - so no more bull ... let's hope and pray for their release. Enough is enough.
(Old News taken out to shorten..)
Johannesburg - The 62 South African alleged mercenaries in Zimbabwe might be released next Tuesday after 12 months in Chikurubi prison in Harare, their lawyer said on Wednesday.
Lawyer Alwyn Griebenow said he was not sure if the men would be released on the due date, but he would fly to Harare to find out what the situation was.
The men were still awaiting the outcome of an appeal lodged by Zimbabwe's attorney-general, Sobuza Gula-Ndebele, against the reduction of their sentences, which would have seen the men released in early March.
"No date has been set for the appeal, which will only be of academic value as the men will be back in South Africa already," said Griebenow.
Zimbabwean court officials confirmed on March 2 that the men were scheduled for immediate release after a successful appeal against their sentences in the high court.
A week later, with all the paperwork completed, their lawyer and families waited in vain for their return, which was delayed when Gula-Ndebele filed an application to appeal against the High Court's decision.
"The suspension of a sentence for early release of a prisoner only applies to Zimbabwean citizens," Gula-Ndebele said at the time.
Griebenow said the appeal would only be of value to two pilots, who had received 16 month sentences for their role in the alleged plot to topple the government of Equatorial Guinea.
"If judgment is given in their favour, they won't have to wait until September 1 to be released," he said.
Two of the men due for release on Tuesday were ill with tuberculosis (TB), Griebenow said.
In dire straits
As the men had been "well and fit" when they were arrested, they presumably contracted the disease in prison, he said.
Francisco Marcus, who has been in hospital for more than six months was "already very weak and can barely walk", while Melane Moyo had been in and out of the prison hospital.
Accusations of mistreatment of the prisoners had surfaced during their imprisonment, with Griebenow saying their living conditions were "horrible".
Their prison food had little nutritional value, they slept on the floor, and sometimes weeks went by without running water, he said.
He claimed the prison authorities have refused permission to hand over jerseys knitted especially for the men in conformance with prison uniform regulations.
The South African embassy in Harare did not dismiss the claims, but said the allegations had not been brought to the embassy's attention.
..................
They were convicted of breaching Zimbabwe's aviation, immigration, firearms and security laws.
Lawyer Alwyn Griebenow said he was not sure if the men would be released on the due date, but he would fly to Harare to find out what the situation was.
The men were still awaiting the outcome of an appeal lodged by Zimbabwe's attorney-general, Sobuza Gula-Ndebele, against the reduction of their sentences, which would have seen the men released in early March.
"No date has been set for the appeal, which will only be of academic value as the men will be back in South Africa already," said Griebenow.
Zimbabwean court officials confirmed on March 2 that the men were scheduled for immediate release after a successful appeal against their sentences in the high court.
A week later, with all the paperwork completed, their lawyer and families waited in vain for their return, which was delayed when Gula-Ndebele filed an application to appeal against the High Court's decision.
"The suspension of a sentence for early release of a prisoner only applies to Zimbabwean citizens," Gula-Ndebele said at the time.
Griebenow said the appeal would only be of value to two pilots, who had received 16 month sentences for their role in the alleged plot to topple the government of Equatorial Guinea.
"If judgment is given in their favour, they won't have to wait until September 1 to be released," he said.
Two of the men due for release on Tuesday were ill with tuberculosis (TB), Griebenow said.
In dire straits
As the men had been "well and fit" when they were arrested, they presumably contracted the disease in prison, he said.
Francisco Marcus, who has been in hospital for more than six months was "already very weak and can barely walk", while Melane Moyo had been in and out of the prison hospital.
Accusations of mistreatment of the prisoners had surfaced during their imprisonment, with Griebenow saying their living conditions were "horrible".
Their prison food had little nutritional value, they slept on the floor, and sometimes weeks went by without running water, he said.
He claimed the prison authorities have refused permission to hand over jerseys knitted especially for the men in conformance with prison uniform regulations.
The South African embassy in Harare did not dismiss the claims, but said the allegations had not been brought to the embassy's attention.
..................
They were convicted of breaching Zimbabwe's aviation, immigration, firearms and security laws.
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B727 Aircrew and pax in Harare
Heard today that the state never filed the appeal against the reduction of their sentences. So these guys have been sitting in Chikurubi since the 2nd of March after they should have been released for completing their sentences, purely because the state "intended" to appeal against their successful apeal...? What a country..?
Harare - A group of 62 suspected mercenaries jailed over an alleged coup plot in oil-rich Equatorial Guinea could be released on Tuesday after serving eight months in a maximum security prison in Zimbabwe, their lawyer told reporters.
The men - who all hold South African passports - were sentenced on September 10 of violating immigration laws in connection with the alleged bid to topple long-time leader Teodoro Obiang Nguema in March of last year.
"I have not yet got official word from the prison but I am sure they will be released tomorrow morning when their sentence elapses," lawyer Jonathan Samkange said on Monday.
The men - who all hold South African passports - were sentenced on September 10 of violating immigration laws in connection with the alleged bid to topple long-time leader Teodoro Obiang Nguema in March of last year.
"I have not yet got official word from the prison but I am sure they will be released tomorrow morning when their sentence elapses," lawyer Jonathan Samkange said on Monday.
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Get them outta there !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Zim 62 to get out a day late?
10/05/2005 18:06
Johannesburg - The 62 South African alleged mercenaries in Zimbabwe may now be released only on Wednesday, said their lawyer Alwyn Griebenow on Tuesday.
He said he had been told by prison officials the group might be released on Wednesday: "But nobody is prepared to commit to this."
The officials had told Griebenow that once the men were released they would be handed over to immigration officials to be deported.
According to Zimbabwe's law, if foreigners were fined more than 200 Zimbabwean dollars, they had to be deported once the fine was paid and the sentence served.
"So, obviously, they are been seen as prohibitant immigrants."
Sentences expired on Tuesday
Griebenow said he had been told the chief officer of immigration was personally handling the matter, but he was not available on Tuesday.
"I'm hoping to see him on Wednesday so I can find out what his plans are," he said.
The men were supposed to have been released on Tuesday as their sentences had expired. They were convicted of breaching Zimbabwe's aviation, immigration, firearms and security laws.
Griebenow said he had only managed to see four of them as prison officials allowed him to meet only two of them at a time.
"They are physically and mentally drained. The lack of assurances and guarantees is really getting to them," he said.
The group has spent more than 12 months in prison.
They are still awaiting the outcome of an appeal lodged by Zimbabwean attorney-general Sobuza Gula-Ndebele against a reduction of their sentences which would have seen the men released in early March.
Zimbabwean court officials confirmed on March 2 the men were scheduled for immediate release after a successful appeal to the high court for a reduction of their sentences.
A week later, with all the paperwork completed, their lawyer and families waited in vain for their return which was delayed when Gula-Ndebele filed an application to appeal against the court's decision.
He argued that early release applied only to Zimbabweans.
Griebenow said the appeal would be of value only to two pilots who had received 16-month sentences for aviation and immigration-related offences.
Two of the men due for release on Tuesday - Francisco Marcus and Melane Moyodue - are ill with tuberculosis believed to have been picked up in prison.
Arrested at Harare airport
Accusations of mistreatment of the prisoners have surfaced during their imprisonment, with Griebenow saying their living conditions were "horrible".
The group was arrested at Harare International Airport when they apparently landed to refuel and pick up military equipment.
Zimbabwean authorities said they were on their way to join 15 other alleged mercenaries - including eight South Africans - arrested in Equatorial Guinea about the same time.
The group in Equatorial Guinea were convicted and given long prison sentences for trying to overthrow long-time dictator Teodoro Obiang Nguema.
Zim 62 to get out a day late?
10/05/2005 18:06
Johannesburg - The 62 South African alleged mercenaries in Zimbabwe may now be released only on Wednesday, said their lawyer Alwyn Griebenow on Tuesday.
He said he had been told by prison officials the group might be released on Wednesday: "But nobody is prepared to commit to this."
The officials had told Griebenow that once the men were released they would be handed over to immigration officials to be deported.
According to Zimbabwe's law, if foreigners were fined more than 200 Zimbabwean dollars, they had to be deported once the fine was paid and the sentence served.
"So, obviously, they are been seen as prohibitant immigrants."
Sentences expired on Tuesday
Griebenow said he had been told the chief officer of immigration was personally handling the matter, but he was not available on Tuesday.
"I'm hoping to see him on Wednesday so I can find out what his plans are," he said.
The men were supposed to have been released on Tuesday as their sentences had expired. They were convicted of breaching Zimbabwe's aviation, immigration, firearms and security laws.
Griebenow said he had only managed to see four of them as prison officials allowed him to meet only two of them at a time.
"They are physically and mentally drained. The lack of assurances and guarantees is really getting to them," he said.
The group has spent more than 12 months in prison.
They are still awaiting the outcome of an appeal lodged by Zimbabwean attorney-general Sobuza Gula-Ndebele against a reduction of their sentences which would have seen the men released in early March.
Zimbabwean court officials confirmed on March 2 the men were scheduled for immediate release after a successful appeal to the high court for a reduction of their sentences.
A week later, with all the paperwork completed, their lawyer and families waited in vain for their return which was delayed when Gula-Ndebele filed an application to appeal against the court's decision.
He argued that early release applied only to Zimbabweans.
Griebenow said the appeal would be of value only to two pilots who had received 16-month sentences for aviation and immigration-related offences.
Two of the men due for release on Tuesday - Francisco Marcus and Melane Moyodue - are ill with tuberculosis believed to have been picked up in prison.
Arrested at Harare airport
Accusations of mistreatment of the prisoners have surfaced during their imprisonment, with Griebenow saying their living conditions were "horrible".
The group was arrested at Harare International Airport when they apparently landed to refuel and pick up military equipment.
Zimbabwean authorities said they were on their way to join 15 other alleged mercenaries - including eight South Africans - arrested in Equatorial Guinea about the same time.
The group in Equatorial Guinea were convicted and given long prison sentences for trying to overthrow long-time dictator Teodoro Obiang Nguema.
GunsssR4ever
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I had this dream about 11 May last night ...
I have this feeling that they WILL be released tomorrow so Gunsss needs a drink and he is getting pi$$ed - just decided that - very easy decission
A shame I am not there to welcome them.
Welcome back guys
I have this feeling that they WILL be released tomorrow so Gunsss needs a drink and he is getting pi$$ed - just decided that - very easy decission
A shame I am not there to welcome them.
Welcome back guys
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The boytjies with TB need to be looked at in a hurry as well. Don't think they got any medical care in Chikurubi and that thing is a killer. Hope they can stop it in time. These petty small minded delays aren't helping.
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This thread has had plenty of interest, but how much help has it produced. My point being, and I know its a **** hole up there. How hard would it be for some to visit the place with care packages of needed things. Including medicine. Would it be allowed, would it be confiscated, would those visiting get back to SA.?? Are there people doing that now and how can they be contacted?? Certainly dont post details here. All questions I have no clue about, but wouldnt mind throwing a few dollars that way if it was possible.
I tried to get some folks interested in helping out the COPs in the Helo crash thread, but it seem enthusiasum died very quickly. I will take care of that upon return to SA.
Hope thats also not the case here.
Someone give me a clue.
The fat lady has not yet sung, therefore nobody is home yet....
Lets not forget.
I tried to get some folks interested in helping out the COPs in the Helo crash thread, but it seem enthusiasum died very quickly. I will take care of that upon return to SA.
Hope thats also not the case here.
Someone give me a clue.
The fat lady has not yet sung, therefore nobody is home yet....
Lets not forget.