ZIMbobWE seizes US cargo Plane and Mercenaries
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Latest off the wire-service:
Zim 70 give ultimatum
Johannesburg - A group of 70 suspected mercenaries held in Zimbabwe on charges of plotting a coup in Equatorial Guinea are preparing to take the government to court unless it helps them, a lawyer said on Tuesday. The men, who have been in a Harare jail for the past two months, have asked President Thabo Mbeki's government to either seek their extradition to South Africa or provide assurances that they will not be handed over for trial in Equatorial Guinea, lawyer Alwyn Griebenow said. The government was notified in an official letter served on Monday and Tuesday that it has 24 hours to respond to the request or face court action. "If we do not receive the undertakings... we will proceed with an urgent matter in the Pretoria High Court," Griebenow told AFP, adding that the petition could be heard next week.
The 70 men, who come from South Africa, Namibia and Angola but were all travelling on South African passports, were arrested at Harare airport on March 7 and are accused of planning to overthrow Equatorial Guinea's long-time leader Teodoro Obiang Nguema with weapons bought from Zimbabwe's state arms manufacturer. Fifteen other men were arrested on similar charges in the oil-rich but impoverished central African country and are charged with being accomplices in the same plot. Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe earlier this month held talks with Obiang after which an official told AFP that Mugabe had agreed to hand over the men for trial and a possible death sentence in Equatorial Guinea.
There has not, however, been any official statement from the Zimbabwe government about extradition of the 70 men. Griebenow said that authorities were investigating whether the men may have violated South Africa's law on foreign military assistance. "If they have a case they should serve warrants on the men. If they do this they must apply for their extradition to South Africa," said Griebenow. "We haven't got a problem standing trial but we don't believe they will have a fair trial in Zimbabwe. We want them, therefore, to stand trial in South Africa," he said. The families of the alleged soldiers of fortune held a protest last Friday in Pretoria to ask Mbeki to bring the men home. The government has given no indication that it is planning to intervene if the men are extradited to Equatorial Guinea, saying there was "no legal basis for South Africa to demand that its nationals should not be extradited to another country."
Johannesburg - A group of 70 suspected mercenaries held in Zimbabwe on charges of plotting a coup in Equatorial Guinea are preparing to take the government to court unless it helps them, a lawyer said on Tuesday. The men, who have been in a Harare jail for the past two months, have asked President Thabo Mbeki's government to either seek their extradition to South Africa or provide assurances that they will not be handed over for trial in Equatorial Guinea, lawyer Alwyn Griebenow said. The government was notified in an official letter served on Monday and Tuesday that it has 24 hours to respond to the request or face court action. "If we do not receive the undertakings... we will proceed with an urgent matter in the Pretoria High Court," Griebenow told AFP, adding that the petition could be heard next week.
The 70 men, who come from South Africa, Namibia and Angola but were all travelling on South African passports, were arrested at Harare airport on March 7 and are accused of planning to overthrow Equatorial Guinea's long-time leader Teodoro Obiang Nguema with weapons bought from Zimbabwe's state arms manufacturer. Fifteen other men were arrested on similar charges in the oil-rich but impoverished central African country and are charged with being accomplices in the same plot. Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe earlier this month held talks with Obiang after which an official told AFP that Mugabe had agreed to hand over the men for trial and a possible death sentence in Equatorial Guinea.
There has not, however, been any official statement from the Zimbabwe government about extradition of the 70 men. Griebenow said that authorities were investigating whether the men may have violated South Africa's law on foreign military assistance. "If they have a case they should serve warrants on the men. If they do this they must apply for their extradition to South Africa," said Griebenow. "We haven't got a problem standing trial but we don't believe they will have a fair trial in Zimbabwe. We want them, therefore, to stand trial in South Africa," he said. The families of the alleged soldiers of fortune held a protest last Friday in Pretoria to ask Mbeki to bring the men home. The government has given no indication that it is planning to intervene if the men are extradited to Equatorial Guinea, saying there was "no legal basis for South Africa to demand that its nationals should not be extradited to another country."
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Surprise surprise, Kiss @rse Mbeki won't do anything to hurt uncle Bob's feelings. The fact that these guys have South African passports surely gives the SA govt a right to intervene, at least to some extent?
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Latest, inevitable development:
Zim 70 take govt to court
Johannesburg - A group of 70 suspected mercenaries held in Zimbabwe on charges of plotting a coup in Equatorial Guinea are proceeding with an application to take the South African government to court, a lawyer said on Wednesday. The men had given President Thabo Mbeki's office 24 hours to respond to a request to either seek their extradition to South Africa or ensure they were not handed over for trial in Equatorial Guinea. "We did not hear from the president's office so we are proceeding with a court application," lawyer Alwyn Griebenow told Sapa. "The application will probably be heard next Tuesday in the Pretoria High Court," he said. The government was sent an official letter on Monday evening giving it 24 hours to respond to the request or face court action.
Mbeki's spokesperson Bheki Khumalo said the papers had been received and a statement in response would be released later on Wednesday.
Johannesburg - A group of 70 suspected mercenaries held in Zimbabwe on charges of plotting a coup in Equatorial Guinea are proceeding with an application to take the South African government to court, a lawyer said on Wednesday. The men had given President Thabo Mbeki's office 24 hours to respond to a request to either seek their extradition to South Africa or ensure they were not handed over for trial in Equatorial Guinea. "We did not hear from the president's office so we are proceeding with a court application," lawyer Alwyn Griebenow told Sapa. "The application will probably be heard next Tuesday in the Pretoria High Court," he said. The government was sent an official letter on Monday evening giving it 24 hours to respond to the request or face court action.
Mbeki's spokesperson Bheki Khumalo said the papers had been received and a statement in response would be released later on Wednesday.
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And the News is NOT good
Govt opposes Zim 70 action
19/05/2004 19:15 - (SA)
Pretoria - Government will oppose legal action to have 70 alleged mercenaries held in Zimbabwe extradited to South Africa, or to ensure they were not tried in Equatorial Guinea, presidential spokesperson Bheki Khumalo said on Wednesday.
A lawyer earlier on Wednesday said the men had given President Thabo Mbeki's office 24 hours - from Monday - to respond to a request to either seek their extradition to South Africa or ensure they were not tried in Equatorial Guinea.
Alwyn Griebenow said: "We did not hear from the president's office so we are proceeding with a court application."
He added: "The application will probably be heard next Tuesday in the Pretoria High Court."
Khumalo said the court papers were served on the government in the morning.
"The State attorneys have been instructed by the government to file a notice to oppose the application."
He declined to discuss the merits of the matter.
The alleged mercenaries were arrested at Harare International Airport two months ago when they apparently landed to refuel and pick up military equipment. They were all travelling on South African passports.
The men are being held in a Harare jail.
Zimbabwean authorities claim they were on their way to join 15 suspected mercenaries - including eight South Africans - arrested in Equatorial Guinea around the same time.
The men are accused of planning to overthrow Equatorial Guinea's leader Teodoro Obiang Nguema.
'Diplomatic protection'
Meanwhile, foreign affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said the South African government was not aware on Wednesday of a request for protection from eight citizens being held in Equatorial Guinea on suspicion of plotting a coup d'etat.
"I know nothing about that," Mamoepa said about a statement by lawyer Bernard van der Hoven that he had asked the presidency to place the men under "diplomatic protection".
Mamoepa was also unsure about the meaning of diplomatic protection, saying he knew of no such a thing.
"I don't know what they are talking about. Ask them what they mean."
The men were not diplomats and accordingly not entitled to diplomatic immunity, Mamoepa said.
"They are prisoners and subject to the laws of Equatorial Guinea. They will appear before a court of law and we will have to await the outcome."
There was no chance of South Africa intervening, he added.
"How can South Africa interfere in the sovereign processes of another country? The question does not arise."
Khumalo was also not aware of any request for protection.
Edited by Elmarie Jack
Govt opposes Zim 70 action
19/05/2004 19:15 - (SA)
Pretoria - Government will oppose legal action to have 70 alleged mercenaries held in Zimbabwe extradited to South Africa, or to ensure they were not tried in Equatorial Guinea, presidential spokesperson Bheki Khumalo said on Wednesday.
A lawyer earlier on Wednesday said the men had given President Thabo Mbeki's office 24 hours - from Monday - to respond to a request to either seek their extradition to South Africa or ensure they were not tried in Equatorial Guinea.
Alwyn Griebenow said: "We did not hear from the president's office so we are proceeding with a court application."
He added: "The application will probably be heard next Tuesday in the Pretoria High Court."
Khumalo said the court papers were served on the government in the morning.
"The State attorneys have been instructed by the government to file a notice to oppose the application."
He declined to discuss the merits of the matter.
The alleged mercenaries were arrested at Harare International Airport two months ago when they apparently landed to refuel and pick up military equipment. They were all travelling on South African passports.
The men are being held in a Harare jail.
Zimbabwean authorities claim they were on their way to join 15 suspected mercenaries - including eight South Africans - arrested in Equatorial Guinea around the same time.
The men are accused of planning to overthrow Equatorial Guinea's leader Teodoro Obiang Nguema.
'Diplomatic protection'
Meanwhile, foreign affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said the South African government was not aware on Wednesday of a request for protection from eight citizens being held in Equatorial Guinea on suspicion of plotting a coup d'etat.
"I know nothing about that," Mamoepa said about a statement by lawyer Bernard van der Hoven that he had asked the presidency to place the men under "diplomatic protection".
Mamoepa was also unsure about the meaning of diplomatic protection, saying he knew of no such a thing.
"I don't know what they are talking about. Ask them what they mean."
The men were not diplomats and accordingly not entitled to diplomatic immunity, Mamoepa said.
"They are prisoners and subject to the laws of Equatorial Guinea. They will appear before a court of law and we will have to await the outcome."
There was no chance of South Africa intervening, he added.
"How can South Africa interfere in the sovereign processes of another country? The question does not arise."
Khumalo was also not aware of any request for protection.
Edited by Elmarie Jack
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Thabo has badly let down his citizens, especially the whites. No wonder the brain power of this country are leaving it in droves. So much so for a democracy.
The Afrikaans Newspaper "Die Burger" posted a picture of a Police Airwing BK 117 hovering low in a yard of some house in Valhalla, yesterday. On board they had high profile EG Investigators, who came to SA to video film various properties around Pretoria and the Hartebeespoort Dam. The reason???? Nick du Toit alleged that these properties were used for training, preparation and planning of the alleged coup in EG. Filming the properties will ensure that the men get a fair trial, as the video will be shown to the judge, and questions then put to the men.
F
horsesh. Just to think that the SA taxpayer has to foot the bill for this little hide and seek game Thabo is playing.
I personally believe that Thabo, Mad Bob and the senile president of EG are all in this together. Executing innocent people until proven guilty, is a huge wave for their egos, and of course a clear message to the outside world; "Don't f with us, we are the African Elitists, firmly in control of Africa.
It really sucks!
Where are all the Human Right's Organisations, The Red Cross, The UN and all the other big mouths now?
Their thoughts of course, F Africa, leave it to the Africans. Thank you, Thank you very much!
The Afrikaans Newspaper "Die Burger" posted a picture of a Police Airwing BK 117 hovering low in a yard of some house in Valhalla, yesterday. On board they had high profile EG Investigators, who came to SA to video film various properties around Pretoria and the Hartebeespoort Dam. The reason???? Nick du Toit alleged that these properties were used for training, preparation and planning of the alleged coup in EG. Filming the properties will ensure that the men get a fair trial, as the video will be shown to the judge, and questions then put to the men.
F
horsesh. Just to think that the SA taxpayer has to foot the bill for this little hide and seek game Thabo is playing. I personally believe that Thabo, Mad Bob and the senile president of EG are all in this together. Executing innocent people until proven guilty, is a huge wave for their egos, and of course a clear message to the outside world; "Don't f
with us, we are the African Elitists, firmly in control of Africa.It really sucks!
Where are all the Human Right's Organisations, The Red Cross, The UN and all the other big mouths now?Their thoughts of course, F
Africa, leave it to the Africans. Thank you, Thank you very much!
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Well said Blade.
The "don't fu with us statement is all to important to the nervous African leader's ego. Especially Bob with an upcoming parliamentary election next year. He knows he is unpopular, and the "dont f with me" attitude is his best tool. Fear and oppresion is rife in Zim. If they can invent charges, and convict people on them, then that will be a mighty deterent for any opposition. Mbeki is now starting to play the same fatefull game, and South Africa sadly will not be spared the fate that has befallen the rest of Africa.
I fear that the "70" are more than just a political play, but also now an election issue in Zimbabwe. We must continue to give the "alleged mercenaries" our greatest support as I know we will. Bob is rabid, and needs a conviction of treason against them to prove his strength in the eyes of the uneducated Zimbabweans (and sadly many of the educated). If he wants it, he will get it. I fear these guys have frighteningly little hope.
Our hopes and prayers are with them in their plight, and with their families too. They are not alone.
It is often said in Zim these days, "All that is required for evil to happen, is for good people to do nothing."
Where are the good people of Amnesty International, UN etc now?
The "Western" world doesn't give a rats @ss what happens in Africa, so long as they can still get their cheap imports from the "Dark" continent.
The "don't fu
with us statement is all to important to the nervous African leader's ego. Especially Bob with an upcoming parliamentary election next year. He knows he is unpopular, and the "dont f with me" attitude is his best tool. Fear and oppresion is rife in Zim. If they can invent charges, and convict people on them, then that will be a mighty deterent for any opposition. Mbeki is now starting to play the same fatefull game, and South Africa sadly will not be spared the fate that has befallen the rest of Africa.I fear that the "70" are more than just a political play, but also now an election issue in Zimbabwe. We must continue to give the "alleged mercenaries" our greatest support as I know we will. Bob is rabid, and needs a conviction of treason against them to prove his strength in the eyes of the uneducated Zimbabweans (and sadly many of the educated). If he wants it, he will get it. I fear these guys have frighteningly little hope.
Our hopes and prayers are with them in their plight, and with their families too. They are not alone.
It is often said in Zim these days, "All that is required for evil to happen, is for good people to do nothing."
Where are the good people of Amnesty International, UN etc now?
The "Western" world doesn't give a rats @ss what happens in Africa, so long as they can still get their cheap imports from the "Dark" continent.
Gatvol
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Manamana writes: "The "Western" world doesn't give a rats @ss what happens in Africa, so long as they can still get their cheap imports from the "Dark" continent."
If you notice We are having our own major Fkup as the sand in Iraq is changing to quicksand. As soon as the leftists get the politicians to tell the Military what and when they can do anything there. We will have Vietnam#2.
"All that is required for evil to happen, is for good people to do nothing."
As to that statement, your about twenty years too late.
If you notice We are having our own major F
kup as the sand in Iraq is changing to quicksand. As soon as the leftists get the politicians to tell the Military what and when they can do anything there. We will have Vietnam#2. "All that is required for evil to happen, is for good people to do nothing."
As to that statement, your about twenty years too late.
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Zim 'got SA info' on 70
Time to bring this topic back to the top 
Zim 'got SA info' on 70
24/05/2004
Cape Town - Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota on Monday confirmed "some intelligence" information had passed between South Africa and Zimbabwe before the 70 South African alleged mercenaries left South Africa.
The men were arrested after their plane landed in Zimbabwe about a month ago.
They are suspected of having been on their way to participate in a coup in Equatorial Guinea, where eight other South Africans are being held as suspected co-plotters.
Briefing the media at parliament, Lekota rejected suggestions they should have been arrested in South Africa before being allowed to leave for Zimbabwe, saying arrests could not be made on the basis of intelligence.
Arrests could only be made once there was evidence a crime had been committed.
Lekota said a delegation from Equatorial Guinea led by its attorney-general Jose Obono visited South Africa last week for consultations with various government agencies, family, and legal representatives of the eight men being held there.
Efforts were being made to bring the prisoners to court as soon as possible, in the presence of international observers with a view to ensuring a fair trial for them, he said.
All those detained had been visited several times by South African diplomats, led by the ambassadors in Gabon and Zimbabwe, in conformity with Geneva Convention requirements and South African law.
SA won't shirk responsibilities
These consular visits would continue at regular intervals and South African officials would assist the men and their families wherever possible.
Regarding efforts by family members to have the men extradited directly to South Africa, Lekota said it should be appreciated that government had not received any official notification of the intention by Zimbabwe to extradite the 70 South Africans to Equatorial Guinea.
Nonetheless, South Africa would not shirk its responsibilities in ensuring the prisoners were afforded their rights in terms of the Geneva Convention and in line with the Constitution, and that the trial they faced would be fair and within the norms of international law.
Lekota said government would not entertain speculation about the possible outcomes of the trials, as this might help to pre-empt the judgments by the respective courts.
Only when judgment had been delivered would government engage with the process.
He also dismissed "with the contempt it deserves" opposition party claims that government was "an accessory" to the matter as ridiculous.
Zim 'got SA info' on 70
24/05/2004
Cape Town - Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota on Monday confirmed "some intelligence" information had passed between South Africa and Zimbabwe before the 70 South African alleged mercenaries left South Africa.
The men were arrested after their plane landed in Zimbabwe about a month ago.
They are suspected of having been on their way to participate in a coup in Equatorial Guinea, where eight other South Africans are being held as suspected co-plotters.
Briefing the media at parliament, Lekota rejected suggestions they should have been arrested in South Africa before being allowed to leave for Zimbabwe, saying arrests could not be made on the basis of intelligence.
Arrests could only be made once there was evidence a crime had been committed.
Lekota said a delegation from Equatorial Guinea led by its attorney-general Jose Obono visited South Africa last week for consultations with various government agencies, family, and legal representatives of the eight men being held there.
Efforts were being made to bring the prisoners to court as soon as possible, in the presence of international observers with a view to ensuring a fair trial for them, he said.
All those detained had been visited several times by South African diplomats, led by the ambassadors in Gabon and Zimbabwe, in conformity with Geneva Convention requirements and South African law.
SA won't shirk responsibilities
These consular visits would continue at regular intervals and South African officials would assist the men and their families wherever possible.
Regarding efforts by family members to have the men extradited directly to South Africa, Lekota said it should be appreciated that government had not received any official notification of the intention by Zimbabwe to extradite the 70 South Africans to Equatorial Guinea.
Nonetheless, South Africa would not shirk its responsibilities in ensuring the prisoners were afforded their rights in terms of the Geneva Convention and in line with the Constitution, and that the trial they faced would be fair and within the norms of international law.
Lekota said government would not entertain speculation about the possible outcomes of the trials, as this might help to pre-empt the judgments by the respective courts.
Only when judgment had been delivered would government engage with the process.
He also dismissed "with the contempt it deserves" opposition party claims that government was "an accessory" to the matter as ridiculous.
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Thanks Dean...
One comment that deserves a 'spin doctor' award from the 'previously known as "Terror" Lekota':
The question - if they were not arrested in SA, how the hell can SA stand back while they are detained in Zim...?????
The SA intelligence is supossedly the cause of their arrest in Zim, and on what basis then was the arrest made..?
I would say that he is certainly "an accessory".
Just a thought.
R
One comment that deserves a 'spin doctor' award from the 'previously known as "Terror" Lekota':
Briefing the media at parliament, Lekota rejected suggestions they should have been arrested in South Africa before being allowed to leave for Zimbabwe, saying arrests could not be made on the basis of intelligence.
The SA intelligence is supossedly the cause of their arrest in Zim, and on what basis then was the arrest made..?
I would say that he is certainly "an accessory".
Just a thought.
R
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Couldn't believe it when I read it 
Zim 70 'must confess'
26/05/2004 15:37 - (SA)
Pretoria - South African investigators had enough evidence to apply for the extradition for trial of 70 South African suspected mercenaries held in Zimbabwe, the Pretoria High Court heard on Wednesday.
The 70 men were arrested in March on suspicion of plotting a coup in Equatorial Guinea and are seeking a court order that they be tried in South Africa under the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act.
However, Judge Bernard Ngoepe warned the men, who have not admitted allegations that they are mercenaries, not to try and butter their bread on both sides.
"You cannot have it both ways," he told the men's advocate Francois Joubert, SC.
Men should confess
Ngoepe said South African authorities were still investigating the case, which meant they did not yet have sufficient evidence to seek the men's extradition.
If the men wished to be tried for breaking South African mercenary laws rather than stand trial in Zimbabwe or Equatorial Guinea, they should aid investigators by confessing.
Joubert said it was the men's case that they were on their way to the Democratic Republic of Congo to do security work on the mines. They were aware they might have to withstand attacks by rebel troops, which was why they were going armed.
They therefore admitted to being recruited for becoming involved in armed conflict for gain - even though they were not mercenaries per se.
Enough evidence
Their action, Joubert contended, remained a violation of South Africa's foreign military assistance legislation.
Sufficient evidence therefore existed to extradite the men to South Africa for trial.
Ngoepe expressed concern that a premature extradition order might serve to defeat the ends of justice in both Zimbabwe and South Africa as it could lead to the men being acquitted at home for a lack of evidence.
The men were arrested at Harare International Airport more than two months ago when they apparently landed to refuel and pick up military equipment.
Authorities claimed they were on their way to join 15 suspected mercenaries - including eight South Africans - arrested in Equatorial Guinea for allegedly plotting to overthrow that country's leader Teodoro Obiang Nguema.
The 70 men are asking Ngoepe to direct the government to uphold their constitutional rights. They claim they would not receive a fair trial in either Zimbabwe or Equatorial Guinea.
If extradited to Equatorial Guinea, the men feared being put to death.
Lawyers for the government, which opposes the application, are expected to start arguing after the lunch break.
Zim 70 'must confess'
26/05/2004 15:37 - (SA)
Pretoria - South African investigators had enough evidence to apply for the extradition for trial of 70 South African suspected mercenaries held in Zimbabwe, the Pretoria High Court heard on Wednesday.
The 70 men were arrested in March on suspicion of plotting a coup in Equatorial Guinea and are seeking a court order that they be tried in South Africa under the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act.
However, Judge Bernard Ngoepe warned the men, who have not admitted allegations that they are mercenaries, not to try and butter their bread on both sides.
"You cannot have it both ways," he told the men's advocate Francois Joubert, SC.
Men should confess
Ngoepe said South African authorities were still investigating the case, which meant they did not yet have sufficient evidence to seek the men's extradition.
If the men wished to be tried for breaking South African mercenary laws rather than stand trial in Zimbabwe or Equatorial Guinea, they should aid investigators by confessing.
Joubert said it was the men's case that they were on their way to the Democratic Republic of Congo to do security work on the mines. They were aware they might have to withstand attacks by rebel troops, which was why they were going armed.
They therefore admitted to being recruited for becoming involved in armed conflict for gain - even though they were not mercenaries per se.
Enough evidence
Their action, Joubert contended, remained a violation of South Africa's foreign military assistance legislation.
Sufficient evidence therefore existed to extradite the men to South Africa for trial.
Ngoepe expressed concern that a premature extradition order might serve to defeat the ends of justice in both Zimbabwe and South Africa as it could lead to the men being acquitted at home for a lack of evidence.
The men were arrested at Harare International Airport more than two months ago when they apparently landed to refuel and pick up military equipment.
Authorities claimed they were on their way to join 15 suspected mercenaries - including eight South Africans - arrested in Equatorial Guinea for allegedly plotting to overthrow that country's leader Teodoro Obiang Nguema.
The 70 men are asking Ngoepe to direct the government to uphold their constitutional rights. They claim they would not receive a fair trial in either Zimbabwe or Equatorial Guinea.
If extradited to Equatorial Guinea, the men feared being put to death.
Lawyers for the government, which opposes the application, are expected to start arguing after the lunch break.
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One of the men - Marques Alfredo, was too ill to appear in court today..
The conditions are atrocious there, it is starting to take a toll.
Keep the support up.
R
The conditions are atrocious there, it is starting to take a toll.
Keep the support up.
R
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I heard a story that there is now some plan between Zim and SA about trading the Guys with the SA govt in return for petrol/diesel? Obviously not meant to be public knowledge. The Harare rumour network may just be in overdrive as usual. Anyone have any gen to refute or confirm this?