ZIMbobWE seizes US cargo Plane and Mercenaries
GunsssR4ever
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Hi Capt P,
There is a few conflicting reports now but they definately had not been released by 0700 as they should have.
But my contact does not answer his mobile - so hopefully on the road ...
Saw this report now at 0727 :
There is a few conflicting reports now but they definately had not been released by 0700 as they should have.
But my contact does not answer his mobile - so hopefully on the road ...
Saw this report now at 0727 :
Sixty-two alleged mercenaries are expected back in South Africa by noon on Thursday after their release from a Zimbabwean jail, South African Broadcasting Corporation news reported.
Their lawyer, Alwyn Griebenow, said the men would leave a remand prison in Harare by 6am for the Beit Bridge border post near Musina in Limpopo.
The alleged mercenaries have completed 12 months prison sentences for violating a number of Zimbabwean immigration and security laws.
Griebenow could not be reached on Thursday morning to confirm their release or their time of departure.
South African ambassador Jerry Ndou said the men would leave Harare after the completion of all their immigration documents.
According to the SABC, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) would conduct investigations to establish whether the men had contravened the country's Regulation of Foreign Military Assistant Act. (they had a year to think about it hey)
If so, they would face further prosecution.
Griebenow said an agreement had been reached with the NPA that the men would not be arrested on their arrival but would appear in court on a date yet to be determined.
The men were arrested at the Harare International airport last year allegedly on their way to topple the government of Equatorial Guinea.
Zimbabwean authorities said the group landed to refuel and illegally pick up military equipment that was to be used in the coup plot. The men said the equipment found in their possession was to be used to guard mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
They were, nonetheless, convicted of breaching Zimbabwe's aviation, immigration, firearms and security laws. - Sapa
Their lawyer, Alwyn Griebenow, said the men would leave a remand prison in Harare by 6am for the Beit Bridge border post near Musina in Limpopo.
The alleged mercenaries have completed 12 months prison sentences for violating a number of Zimbabwean immigration and security laws.
Griebenow could not be reached on Thursday morning to confirm their release or their time of departure.
South African ambassador Jerry Ndou said the men would leave Harare after the completion of all their immigration documents.
According to the SABC, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) would conduct investigations to establish whether the men had contravened the country's Regulation of Foreign Military Assistant Act. (they had a year to think about it hey)
If so, they would face further prosecution.
Griebenow said an agreement had been reached with the NPA that the men would not be arrested on their arrival but would appear in court on a date yet to be determined.
The men were arrested at the Harare International airport last year allegedly on their way to topple the government of Equatorial Guinea.
Zimbabwean authorities said the group landed to refuel and illegally pick up military equipment that was to be used in the coup plot. The men said the equipment found in their possession was to be used to guard mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
They were, nonetheless, convicted of breaching Zimbabwe's aviation, immigration, firearms and security laws. - Sapa
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The Zimboons are now whinging about security concerns regarding the prisoners. I can see another excuse to delay things and harass them......
What a bunch of corrupt filth. They don't even stick to their own laws.
What a bunch of corrupt filth. They don't even stick to their own laws.
GunsssR4ever
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From Bert :
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.??
It went through the SA High Commission and they actually did get the foodstuffs and medicine as requested.
Mate and I promise you all the visitors that visited them arrived back in their countries without harrasment. Do not trust your American New$paper$
You can send that million US $ - will send you the account detail
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed the 62 alleged mercenaries being held in Zimbabwe will be charged with breaching the Foreign Military Assistance Act when they return to South Africa.
Makhosini Nkosi, the NPA spokesperson, says the law is a way to make sure that South Africa is not used as a base for mercenary activities.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwean immigration officials will hold an urgent meeting this morning with lawyers of the men to discuss their release. The alleged mercenaries completed their 12 month sentences in a Harare prison this week for activities linked to a coup plot in Equatorial Guinea.
Makhosini Nkosi, the NPA spokesperson, says the law is a way to make sure that South Africa is not used as a base for mercenary activities.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwean immigration officials will hold an urgent meeting this morning with lawyers of the men to discuss their release. The alleged mercenaries completed their 12 month sentences in a Harare prison this week for activities linked to a coup plot in Equatorial Guinea.
GunsssR4ever
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Well some more "positive news" from the SA prosecutors.
(Old news deleted)
*** Breaking News from News 24 : ***
"Mercenaries are security risk"
(Old news deleted)
The 62 South African alleged mercenaries expected to return from Zimbabwe on Thursday will not be arrested on their return, but may be prosecuted, the national prosecuting authority (NPA) said.
NPA spokesperson Makhosini Nkosi said the Scorpions were probing whether the men had contravened the country's Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act. If so, they would face prosecution.
"We will speak to them when appropriate... They've been in jail for a year and want to see their families. Their families want to see them," Nkosi said.
"We have contact with their lawyer and know where to find them. So why would we want to arrest them?"
The men, whose jail term expired two days ago were still in a Zimbabwean prison by 07:00 on Thursday, their lawyer, Alwyn Griebenow, said from Harare.
Griebenow said his clients were still behind bars at the Chikurubi maximum security prison outside Harare.
Griebenow said he and his corresponding attorney would be meeting with Zimbabwean immigration officials in the morning to take the matter further.
"I'm convinced they'll be on their way home today," Griebenow said. ............................ Full report : http://www.news24.com/News24/South_A...03864,00.html.
NPA spokesperson Makhosini Nkosi said the Scorpions were probing whether the men had contravened the country's Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act. If so, they would face prosecution.
"We will speak to them when appropriate... They've been in jail for a year and want to see their families. Their families want to see them," Nkosi said. "We have contact with their lawyer and know where to find them. So why would we want to arrest them?"
The men, whose jail term expired two days ago were still in a Zimbabwean prison by 07:00 on Thursday, their lawyer, Alwyn Griebenow, said from Harare.
Griebenow said his clients were still behind bars at the Chikurubi maximum security prison outside Harare.
Griebenow said he and his corresponding attorney would be meeting with Zimbabwean immigration officials in the morning to take the matter further.
"I'm convinced they'll be on their way home today," Griebenow said. ............................ Full report : http://www.news24.com/News24/South_A...03864,00.html.
"Mercenaries are security risk"
The 62 South African alleged mercenaries in Zimbabwe would be transported to South Africa in Zimbabwean government vehicles, their lawyer Alwyn Griebenow said on Thursday.
"We offered to supply a bus to bring them back, but it has been turned down because they (government officials) say they are a security risk. They are in a meeting now discussing this," he told Sapa from Harare.
Griebenow said he hoped to hear what the plans were by noon.
"We offered to supply a bus to bring them back, but it has been turned down because they (government officials) say they are a security risk. They are in a meeting now discussing this," he told Sapa from Harare.
Griebenow said he hoped to hear what the plans were by noon.
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Zim 62 released
Zim 62 released
12/05/2005 13:29 - (SA)
Harare - A group of 62 suspected mercenaries were discharged from a top security prison in Zimbabwe on Thursday to be deported to South Africa, their lawyer said.
The men were getting ready to walk out of Chikurubi prison more than a year after they were arrested over an alleged plot to topple the president in oil-rich Equatorial Guinea.
"They have been discharged and are awaiting for immigration to deport them to South Africa," said lawyer Jonathan Samkange. "They are ready to go and the prison authorities are ready to let them go."
The 62 were among 70 men arrested in March last year when their plane stopped at Harare international airport to pick up weapons that Zimbabwean authorities allege were to be used to depose long-time President Teodoro Obiang Nguema.
The men, who all hold South African passports, were convicted and sentenced to 12 months in prison for violating Zimbabwe's immigration laws.
12/05/2005 13:29 - (SA)
Harare - A group of 62 suspected mercenaries were discharged from a top security prison in Zimbabwe on Thursday to be deported to South Africa, their lawyer said.
The men were getting ready to walk out of Chikurubi prison more than a year after they were arrested over an alleged plot to topple the president in oil-rich Equatorial Guinea.
"They have been discharged and are awaiting for immigration to deport them to South Africa," said lawyer Jonathan Samkange. "They are ready to go and the prison authorities are ready to let them go."
The 62 were among 70 men arrested in March last year when their plane stopped at Harare international airport to pick up weapons that Zimbabwean authorities allege were to be used to depose long-time President Teodoro Obiang Nguema.
The men, who all hold South African passports, were convicted and sentenced to 12 months in prison for violating Zimbabwe's immigration laws.
GunsssR4ever
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Sad ...
..but the end of the problems is not in sight yet .... From SABC
The 62 alleged mercenaries who were expected to arrive at the Beit Bridge border post at midday today are still at the Chikurubi prison outside Harare. Their release papers have been signed, but they have yet to arrange transport from the prison.
A private bus company has refused to transport the men to the Beit Bridge border post. The men have served 12 months in jail for arms and immigration offences, allegedly linked to the abortive coup plot in Equatorial Guinea.
All hold South African passports.
A private bus company has refused to transport the men to the Beit Bridge border post. The men have served 12 months in jail for arms and immigration offences, allegedly linked to the abortive coup plot in Equatorial Guinea.
All hold South African passports.
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Apparently some official that was being asked by reporters to justify the human rights situation of the 62 whose jailterm as sentenced expired at midnight on the 10th of May who now find themselves still in jail, replied as follows: " they are now free, that means their status has changed , they are no longer prisoners, they are now illegal aliens awaiting deportation" ...mmm
Fantastic logic .... lets see what happens tomorrow apparently a bus has now been organised for 6 in the morning
Fantastic logic .... lets see what happens tomorrow apparently a bus has now been organised for 6 in the morning
GunsssR4ever
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Oh my ... It is frustrating enough for me as a friend. How must they and their families not feel right now
Ok so Friday the 13th it will be
Ok so Friday the 13th it will be
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Still waiting.
The Zimboons seem to be going out of their way to make it as difficult as possible for these people to get out of gaol and out of the country. They're supposed to have been home three days now......
The Zimboons seem to be going out of their way to make it as difficult as possible for these people to get out of gaol and out of the country. They're supposed to have been home three days now......
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May 14, 2005, 14:30
The latest indications from Zimbabwe are that the 62 alleged South African mercenaries will be released at 5pm this afternoon.
$@#%^*& 'em if they keep stringing em along. Soon as they out nuke the bastards.
The latest indications from Zimbabwe are that the 62 alleged South African mercenaries will be released at 5pm this afternoon.
$@#%^*& 'em if they keep stringing em along. Soon as they out nuke the bastards.
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Couldn't agree more.
10 years ago it could have been me so I feel for these boys. What is the SA government up to, pandering to Mad Bob and even madder "whathisface" from Guinea?
Why don't they send the SANDF in there to sort them out? ( Oh I forgot - you couldn't send the SANDF anywhere to sort anything out. That used to be the SADF )
Hope all the guys get out soon.
Good luck boys we're rooting for you
10 years ago it could have been me so I feel for these boys. What is the SA government up to, pandering to Mad Bob and even madder "whathisface" from Guinea?
Why don't they send the SANDF in there to sort them out? ( Oh I forgot - you couldn't send the SANDF anywhere to sort anything out. That used to be the SADF
)Hope all the guys get out soon.
Good luck boys we're rooting for you
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The men completed a one-year prison sentence on Tuesday and were formally released Thursday, but have been forced to stay in the prison compound since then.
The men's lawyers said Zimbabwean officials have given a series of excuses - ranging from questions about how the men would be transported to South Africa to the need to buy film for identity pictures - to delay their release.
Lawyer Alwyn Griebenow said he was particularly concerned about the condition of one of the men, who had tuberculosis and was so emaciated and weak that he could not walk without aid. "He's a very sick man," Griebenow told the South African Press Association.
South African authorities said they would not intervene.
"It's not our call. If the authorities categorize them as high security, they can't set a public date, time and venue for the release," said Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa.
The men's lawyers said Zimbabwean officials have given a series of excuses - ranging from questions about how the men would be transported to South Africa to the need to buy film for identity pictures - to delay their release.
Lawyer Alwyn Griebenow said he was particularly concerned about the condition of one of the men, who had tuberculosis and was so emaciated and weak that he could not walk without aid. "He's a very sick man," Griebenow told the South African Press Association.
South African authorities said they would not intervene.
"It's not our call. If the authorities categorize them as high security, they can't set a public date, time and venue for the release," said Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa.
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The lawyer acting for the 62 South Africans, says they have been released from prison in Zimbabwe. Alwyn Griebenow says he had been told of their release by contacts in Zimbabwe.
The group is believed to have been escorted to the Beitbridge border post.
We wait in hope!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The group is believed to have been escorted to the Beitbridge border post.
We wait in hope!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
N4790P
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Just met a very old friend in BKK and he told me the FEO is KP. I'm a long time away from your part of the world, but K was a good friend in the 80s. Can you confirm? ( I hope not)
Just met a very old friend in BKK and he told me the FEO is KP. I'm a long time away from your part of the world, but K was a good friend in the 80s. Can you confirm? ( I hope not)
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Yup! the very same, but happy to report he now having breakfast in the wimpy in Musina with his wife (bacon and eggs) third warm meal in 14 odd months, the other two was on Christmas day and Zim Independance day!
GunsssR4ever
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They r home
... and I am glad and pi$$ed and very happy for you Ray, Loes and Simon.
Keep on praying for Hendrik and Niel please.
Keep on praying for Hendrik and Niel please.
Last edited by Gunship; 16th May 2005 at 04:24.
GunsssR4ever
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Bacon and Eggs and of course a beer ...
ZFT - in that order is what Ken asked for - and he got it. You can see him in the background of the photo below.
Raymond Archer in front. Must admit he still looks well - then again he has always looked after himself anywhere in any case
You can see him in the background of the photo below.Raymond Archer in front. Must admit he still looks well - then again he has always looked after himself anywhere in any case
Bacon and eggs ... and a beer.
That's what Ken Pain asked for when he was reunited with his wife at the Beit Bridge border post on Sunday morning after having served a year in a Zimbabwean prison for allegedly being a mercenary.
"It's wonderful. I didn't think this day would ever come," Pain's wife, Marge, said.
"Ken is thin, but he's OK. He felt like a beer, and has just had one," she said shortly after her husband was released by immigration authorities at Beit Bridge.
"He also craved bacon and eggs, and it was a pleasure watching him tuck in."
For the moment, Pain doesn't want to talk about the year he spent in the Chikurubi maximum safety prison outside Harare.
"The rest of the flight crew (Niel Steyl and Hendrik Hamman, the two pilots) are still being detained and will only be released in a couple of months' time.
"Ken doesn't want to say anything now that could jeopardise their release."
Pain was the flight engineer.
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 around the same time.
The men said the equipment found in their possession was to be used to guard mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Asked what the Pains were planning to do now, she said the family just wanted to spend some quiet time together.
"Maybe we'll go away for a weekend, but I had to take such a lot of leave the past year, that I must first do my bit for my employer now."
That's what Ken Pain asked for when he was reunited with his wife at the Beit Bridge border post on Sunday morning after having served a year in a Zimbabwean prison for allegedly being a mercenary.
"It's wonderful. I didn't think this day would ever come," Pain's wife, Marge, said.
"Ken is thin, but he's OK. He felt like a beer, and has just had one," she said shortly after her husband was released by immigration authorities at Beit Bridge.
"He also craved bacon and eggs, and it was a pleasure watching him tuck in."
For the moment, Pain doesn't want to talk about the year he spent in the Chikurubi maximum safety prison outside Harare.
"The rest of the flight crew (Niel Steyl and Hendrik Hamman, the two pilots) are still being detained and will only be released in a couple of months' time.
"Ken doesn't want to say anything now that could jeopardise their release."
Pain was the flight engineer.
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 around the same time.
The men said the equipment found in their possession was to be used to guard mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Asked what the Pains were planning to do now, she said the family just wanted to spend some quiet time together.
"Maybe we'll go away for a weekend, but I had to take such a lot of leave the past year, that I must first do my bit for my employer now."