ZIMbobWE seizes US cargo Plane and Mercenaries

[Gunship]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3543651.stm

Zimbabwe 'seizes US cargo plane'

A US-registered cargo plane with 64 suspected mercenaries on board has been impounded
in Harare, Zimbabwe's Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi has said.

The Boeing 727-100 was held on Sunday after it had "made a false declaration of its
cargo and crew," Mr Mohadi said. :E

He said the plane was carrying mercenaries of differing nationalities and "military
material".

A spokeswoman from the US embassy in the Zimbabwean capital could not confirm or deny
the reports.

"A United States of America-registered Boeing 727-100 cargo plane was detained last
night at about 1930 hours (1730 GMT) at Harare International Airport after its owners
had made a false declaration of its cargo and crew," Mr Mohadi told reporters at a
news conference.

"The plane was actually carrying 64 suspected mercenaries of various nationalities,"
he was quoted as saying.

"Further investigations also revealed that on board the plane was military material."

The minister said an investigation was under way to establish the men's identities
and their "ultimate mission".

The plane is believed to have been moved to a military base, but it is not
immediately clear what has happened to those on board the plane. :uhoh:

[Rhodie]

Another report -

US: 'Zim plane not one of ours'
08/03/2004 18:52 - (SA)

Zimbabwe seizes US plane

US: 'We were not informed'

Washington - A Boeing 727-100 cargo plane seized by Zimbabwe at Harare international airport is not an American aircraft contrary to claims made by Zimbabwe's government, a US State Department official said on Monday.

"It's not a US plane. It is not a US registered aircraft right now," the official said on condition anonymity.

Zimbabwe Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi said on Monday that a US-registered aircraft, carrying military equipment and 64 suspected mercenaries, had been impounded by the Zimbabwe authorities on Sunday.

The State Department official here said the mystery aircraft was not US-registered and had not been carrying any US nationals.

"It is not a US government or a US commercial aircraft as far as we know. I understand that at one point back in the 1970's someone may have owned it in the US but it hasn't been a US aircraft since the early 80's," the official explained.

"I have no idea who owns it. There is no US citizen on board," the official said as the mystery over the plane's ownership and crew continued to deepen.

In Zimboland - anything is possible....

All I hope is that the crew and pax have been afforded some common decency - but then I doubt it... the Zim goons will be rubbing their hands in glee and anticipation of some huge scandal - if there is NOT one, they will invent one... :mad:

R

[126,7]

According to Reuters:
Reporters were taken aboard the plane to examine the cargo, which included a rubber dinghy, military uniforms, wire cutters, armour, compasses and other military hardware, said chief police spokesman Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena.

and

Footage on state television showed a white plane with the figure N4610 printed on the body. Several army personnel were shown sifting through equipment including what appeared to be army boots, communication radios and sleeping bags.

U.S. Federal Aviation Administration records show N4610 to be a 727 plane registered to Dodson Aviation based in Ottawa, Kansas. Dodson Aviation said it sold the plane in question about a week ago to an African company called Logo.

I would really hate to be stuck in a Zimboland jail..whatever these "mercenaries" might have done, I hope they are treated fairly.

[B Sousa]

N-number : N4610
Aircraft Serial Number : 18811
Aircraft Manufacturer : BOEING
Model : 727-35
Aircraft Year :
Owner Name : DODSON AVIATION INC
Owner Address : 2110 MONTANA RD
OTTAWA, KS, 66067-8518
Type of Owner : Corporation
Registration Date : 22-May-2002
Airworthiness Certificate Type : Not Specified



Even if you get caught in bed with the Bosses Wife.........Deny it.

[Flying Bean]

But Dodson International is also a South African Construction company that fly/lease aircraft around Africa. Any connection??

Also 702 now report that the aircraft took off from Wonderboom 'Illegally' on Sunday.
Surely they would be mad to transit anywhere near Harare unless maybe it was a fuel problem/
Hope there are no RSA pilots sucked into this!!:sad:

[126,7]

How do you take off illegally from Wonderboom? Does that mean he didn’t have a flight plan or does that mean he took off without t-off clearance or maybe he didn’t go through customs/immigration. Maybe he didn’t pre-flight the plane either…:confused:

[warloc67]

Can it be that the yanks(CIA) are again using others to do the dirty work they can not/don't want to do? (After Mogudisho I think they got to know the African experience first hand.):ouch: :{

[Gunship]

News from a Yahoo Newsgroup in SA :

Hi All

On Sunday the 7th March I was told that a B727-100 N4610 had landed at Wonderboom Airport North of Pretoria it was due to depart for another airport Pietersburg, at 1600 local.
Two of us went to see this plane before it departed, we photo'ed it, colours being white with a thin blue line below the windows. Painted squares on the tail (US flag) side engines (USAF roundal) below engine pods (serial no's) and rear air stairs, cicular painted marks on panels on hand holds.
N4610 ex National A/L, was transferred to the USAF and then to Dodsons Aviation. I believe that this reg and aircraft is genuine, Dodsons is represented in South Africa at Wonderboom A/P, and N4610 was sitting outside their hanger. Standing inside the hanger were, I would say at least 15-20 Black people with bags, cases etc.
Nobody stopped us taking photo's, but we could see that the maintenance/crew? were not happy.

[Gunship]

Here are some snippets from Newsgroups all over the World :ouch:


The CAA (SA) states that the aircraft apparently departed illegally from Wonderboom on a cross border flight.
Incidentally, wonder if there is any connection between this apparently sinister 727 operation and the US-Regd 727 which was stolen and flown out of Luanda last year?



According to Dutch newspapers, Dodson states that they sold this aircraft to
a South African company named Logo one week ago. Logo wasn't available for
comments...



intelligence sources
said the plane could have been on its way to West Africa, perhaps
headed for a threatening coup in Equatorial Guinea, a small
former-Spanish colony wedged between Cameroon and Gabon.

Its capital, Malabo, is on an island off Cameroon's coast. Oil was
recently discovered in its waters.

Technical

The newspaper also indicated that the elderly cargo plane originated
in South Africa and may have been forced to land in Harare because of
a technical problem.



Pilots: xxxx and xxxx (names withheld although it appeared in newspapers) = Can not believe they are so stupid to do a coup as mickey mouse as this ? EDITED : Why I feel like this is because of the SA Mercenary laws. Sh&t like this does nobdy good that wants to earn an honest living in Iraq or wherever without being cited as a mercenary

:uhoh:

[planecrazi]

Gunns,
Is that **** *****or *****? Any connection with ex-Capricorn Systems ?

'US' plane took off from SA
09/03/2004 10:50__-_(SA)__


Pretoria - A plane carrying 64 suspected mercenaries, that Zimbabwe claims was registered in the United States, took off illegally from South Africa, before being impounded in Harare on Sunday, South African aviation authorities said on Tuesday.

"We have discovered that it took off from Wonderboom airport (north of Pretoria) which is not an international airport," said Moses Seate, spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

"It is illegal to leave the country from an airport that is not designated as an international departure point," said Seate.

A CAA investigator is preparing a report which is to be issued later on Tuesday, he added.

Zimbabwe home affairs minister Kembo Mohadi said on Monday that a US-registered aircraft, carrying military equipment and 64 suspected mercenaries, had been impounded by the Zimbabwe authorities on Sunday.

But the US State Department said it was unable to confirm the report, while adding that there was no indication it was connected to the US government.'US' plane took off from SA (http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/Zimbabwe/0,6119,2-11-259_1495534,00.html)

[Gunship]

Edited names to please Bert ...

Bert I will not say something here that I sucked to blast a mate.

As I said it is in the Afrikaans Newspaper, Beeld.

ALL I have posted comes out of newspapers.:}

[B Sousa]

Guns, of all people. Dont you think the less mentioned of this situation on PPrune, the easier it could be on those still stuck in Zimboonland?? You may not be helping some of your friends..

Warloc67 writes:"Can it be that the yanks(CIA) are again using others to do the dirty work they can not/don't want to do?"

Now thats a nice comment from someone watching their own backyard go down the crapper. Let me know when Aristide becomes your neighbor or better yet takes your house. Also thank you for your tax money to support Thabos latest fiasco.

[Gunship]

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/03/09/1078594369487.html

[V1 Rotate]

Although it is pretty obvious at this stage that the only crimes seem to be the US reg. and the white skins of some of the passengers as well as incomplete paperwork.
What a pulicity coup for the murdering tyranical nutcase! Mugbabes must be hopping with joy!
Does anybody suspect Irwin has anything to do with this?

V1

[B Sousa]

Nice photo of the Bolt Cutters. Mugabe must be in fear that someone will cut off his nuts.

[126,7]

Imagine, 64 mercenaries armed to the teeth with bolt-cutters!!! Scary innit?
No wonder Zim Police went bezerk.

[Gunship]

BBC News at 1700 GMT states that there are 2 stories now.

1. 16 "Mercenaries" captured in Eq Guinea who was there since January and the leader confirmed they wanted to do a coup :p :p :p What a joke.

2. The plane's owner of the charter organisations spokesman in London says it was a flight of "cargo" and personel for security at a mine in the DRC. (sounds like the coreect version as there are no weapons) :ouch:

[anjouan]

The latest news says that the arrest was actually a sting operation by the Zimbabwean police.
Logo is a company registered in Jersey.
It seems that the 'mercenaries' were part of a coup attempt against Equatorial Guinea, recruited by a British man and were mostly South African members of the former 'Buffalo Battalion'. 16 men have also been arrested in Equatorial Guinea.
The whole episode was compared to a novel by Frederick Forsythe:uhoh:

[Rhodie]

Bolt cutters vs Mug's b@lls...??

No contest there Bert - he hasn't got any...!!!

Various rumours - 1. that the Rhodie's removed them while he was in prison (unlikely - they wouldnt want to touch em')
2. that he lost them compliments of a nasty itch he got after too many Zambezi blondes... (likely) :E

About 4/5 years back I was offered a job on a mine in the DRC and/or Angola - US$'s and all - I declined as was having too much fun at the time here...

These may well have been contract staff for the mine(s) - the equipment fits the bill that the guys would take and the story of picking up mining equipment is also valid.

Problem, tho' is that the aeri cleared from Wondertree without customs, why, who knows.

Now Bert, next time we are in Zim I'm not letting you talk to ANYONE.. and no sweeties either.. that accent of yours will have the whole place on high alert and they will confiscate all our chip dip...!

Here hoping the guys will be treated decently - but I doubt it. The dictator's favorite ploy of "parading" the prisoners does not bode well.

Oh - and who has heard the SA governmunt say a word to assist the guys, not me - oh, plently words mentioning 'mercenaries, illegal' and the like, but nothing else.

How does it go - "innocent until proven...." not in Africa it dont...!

:mad:

[Rhodie]

Oh my, oh my - even the neighbors on getting in on the issue...
The latest - below..

But - confirmed that they departed from Pietersberg civil, after clearing customs.


Equatorial Guinea nabs 15 from mystery plane

March 09 2004 at 05:48PM

By Cris Chinaka

Harare - The mystery over 64 foreigners being held in Zimbabwe as suspected mercenaries deepened on Tuesday when Equatorial Guinea said it had arrested a 15-strong "advance party" from the same group.

Zimbabwe put its army on full alert following Sunday's seizure of a United States-registered 727-100 cargo plane that government officials said was carrying the suspected mercenaries and a cargo of military material.

The operator of the plane said on Tuesday the men had been bound for the Democratic Republic of Congo to work as security guards on mines, and the aircraft had only stopped in Zimbabwe to pick up mining equipment.

Charles Burrows, a senior executive of Logo Logistics Ltd, said most of the people on board were South African and had military experience, but were on contract to four mining companies in Congo.

Zimbabwean officials said the plane - which left South Africa legally on Sunday with a flight plan for Harare - "made a false declaration of cargo and crew" and its passengers had been detained pending investigations.

Officials in the tiny West African nation of Equatorial Guinea said they had arrested 15 suspected mercenaries believed to be linked to the same operation.

"Some 15 mercenaries have been arrested here in Equatorial Guinea and it was connected with that plane in Zimbabwe. They were the advance party of that group," Information Minister Agustin Nse Nfumu told reporters.

The arrests come amid speculation among exiled opposition politicians that a coup was in the offing.

Burrows, whose company is registered in Britain's Channel Islands, denied any connection between the group detained in Harare and those arrested in Equatorial Guinea.

"I haven't the foggiest idea of what they're talking about," he said by telephone from London.

In Zimbabwe, officials said the detained plane was carrying "military material". State television footage of the plane's cargo showed sleeping bags, satellite phones, knives, bolt cutters and green camouflage uniforms, but no firearms.

"We have mobilised all our security organs to get to the bottom of this case," said a government official who declined to be identified, adding that the army had been put on high alert.

South African air traffic control said the plane had left Johannesburg on Sunday and made a stop at Wonderboom airport near Pretoria. From there it flew to the northern South African town of Polokwane, where it took on some 63 passengers and completed departure formalities.

Craig Partridge, a spokesperson for South Africa's Air Traffic and Navigation Services, said the plane had filed full flight plans showing it would travel to Harare and from there to Bujumbura in Burundi on Congo's eastern border.

Zimbabwe officials said no formal charges had yet been laid against the passengers. Zimbabwe's cabinet was expected to be briefed on the situation at its weekly meeting on Tuesday.

[V1 Rotate]

BSOUSA

The Rhodesian Special Branch accomplished that task about 25 years ago:E :E :E :E

V1 Rotate :cool:

[Vedeneyev]

According to one news report the plane seems to have been involved in a sting operation as it stopped off in Harare to attempt to pick up a consignment of AK-47's, 30,000 rounds of ammunition and mortar shells that it had paid $180,000 for to Colonel X of Zimbabwe Defence Industries last week. An ex member of Executive Outcomes was also waiting for the plane in Harare.

Dodson Aviation claim to have sold the plane to Logo Logistics (registered in a UK dependency). There is apparently an 'investor agreement' between Logo Logisitics and the Lebanon based 'Asian Trade & Investment Group'.

The Equatorial Guinea opposition leader presently based in Spain (and main beneficiary of any coup attempt) is close friends with an Anglo-Lebanese businessman. In 2002 this same businessman was subject to a legal review in France of alleged illegal payments totalling $70million from a French oil company.

Equatorial New Guinea is the third largest oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa.

Interesting part of the world innit?

[B Sousa]

V1 writes:'The Rhodesian Special Branch accomplished that task about 25 years ago "

V1 Rotate

If your refering to cutting off his balls, it would seem that was another costly mistake. Got to remove the head first.

[Coleman Myers]

If the aircraft had stopped to collect a consignment from Zimbabwe Defense Industries then surely the aircraft would have been allowed to depart unhindered. Zim Def Ind board includes a Doctor Whabira, apparently the Permanent Secretary of Defense in the Presidents Office (Mugabe) for Zimbabwe.

The company was looking at setting up an assembly plant for Russian military aircraft and tanks at Harare airport but the plan was apparently scuttled when the Russians baled.

[Deanw]

From News24:

Mom not worried about pilot son

Bloemfontein - "My son was only the pilot and not part of the 'plot'," said Rina Steyl from Heliconhoogte in Bloemfontein.

Her son, Niel, is being held in Zimbabwe after the Boeing 727 that he was piloting, was seized in Zimbabwe.

She said she was not worried about him because he "just did an innocent thing".

When asked if he had taken part in the planning, she said she didn't think he knew how to plan. He only flew the plane - and probably because he was such a wellknown and good pilot.

He was in South Africa on holiday when he was approached to fly the aircraft. Steyl did not know by whom he was approached as she had no information on the flight.

"No one wants to tell me, but it's certainly for good money," she said with a laugh.

She did not know he went ahead with the flight because she could not keep up with her sons' movements. Three of her four sons are Boeing pilots. She thinks her husband, Johan, might know more details.

Flies for flamboyant Indian tycoon

Niel and another son once worked as pilots for the infamous Executive Outcomes company, but she didn't think he was flying for them this time. Surely, they no longer exist, she asked.

Niel, whom they call Jaap-Niel, matriculated from Harrismith High School, were his father was principal.

His former wife, Petro, and their two daughters still live in Harrismith.

He is now the captain of the Boeing for flamboyant Indian tycoon Dr Vijay Mallya and is stationed in Bangalore.

Mallya is in San Francisco and expects Niel on Sunday.

Niel was on his way to his parents in Bloemfontein when he was asked to fly the plane. But, he first spent time in his Kosmos house in Gauteng.

The phone in the Steyl's house rings continuously - the calls are from friends from around the country who read about Niel's arrest. Everyone is surprised as they all assumed he was in India.

'No weapons on the plane'

"Aunty, I see Jaap-Niel is in trouble," says the umpteenth concerned former classmate on the phone.

Each time, Steyl explains her son was here on holiday and that they are sure he will be held only for seven days, as the newspapers report. This is because there were no weapons on the plane.

"I am not worried - I know my four sons too well," she says.

But, she is worried about the Zimbabweans. Her husband wonders if President Robert Mugabe isn't using "this thing for political gain" to say it proves America has something against him.

[Cardinal Puff]

Mugarbage had the wedding tackle lopped off after letting a particularly nasty case of Zambezi Crotch Rot (syphilis which incidentally has the side effect of driving the victim cuckoo) go untreated. This became cancerous and the only way to save his life was to hack 'em off. The op was apparently carried out by a missionary doctor (causing trouble in Africa again).

Anyone notice the Zimboon military type holding up the vicious offensive bolt cutters, et al, with a set of new binos draped around his neck? Looks like a little affirmative shopping was being carried out during the search. Still waiting to see the actual military gear they claim to have found on board........

[planecrazi]

Do you think the bolt cutters were detected in the Polokwane International Airport security x-ray machine before boarding?

Thay may have passed as harmless toe nail clippers!!!

[George Tower]

I cant help but think that this whole sorry story will only play into Mugabe's hands. I don't think Zim give to hoots what goes on in Equitorial Guinea but it's just a great opportunity for Mugabe to show he can wield some power. Interesting to hear the death penalty has been mentioned already.



[QUOTE]'Mercenaries' face Zimbabwe court


Military equipment was reportedly found on the impounded plane
A group of men said to be mercenaries planning a coup in the African state of Equatorial Guinea are expected to face charges in a court in Zimbabwe - although it is unclear if this will be on Thursday.
Zimbabwe has threatened the 64 suspects with the death penalty since seizing them at Harare airport on Sunday.

In Equatorial Guinea, a man said to be related to the group has publicly confessed to a coup plot on television.

Other reports say the suspects were security guards bound for other states who had stopped for mining supplies.

It wasn't a question of taking the life of the head of state but of spiriting him away

Nick du Toit
alleged mercenary leader


Equatorial Guinea: Ripe for coup

The company which chartered their plane said they had stopped in Harare en route to Burundi and DR Congo where they were due to provide security services for an internationally run mine.

But Zimbabwe and South Africa both support the government of Equatorial Guinea and say the men were part of a plot to overthrow the president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema.

Harare has accused the men of working for US, British and Spanish intelligence agencies.

"[They] are going to face the severest punishment available in our statutes, including capital punishment," said Foreign Minister Stan Mudenge without detailing the charges against them.

The BBC's Alastair Leithead in South Africa describes the British and American links as spurious but adds there is growing evidence that the mystery does relate to a coup attempt gone wrong.

History of coups

The 64 men - said to be Angolans, South Africans and Namibians - were detained after their plane was impounded on Sunday evening at Harare International Airport.


Equatorial Guinea and its president have a long history of coups

Equatorial Guinea arrested a separate group of 15 suspected mercenaries, said to be involved in the same alleged plot.

The oil-rich state's president said South Africa had warned him that a group of mercenaries was heading for his country and he suggested that they had had foreign backing of hostile foreign powers and multinational firms.

A man said to be the leader of the "mercenaries" has appeared on Equatorial Guinea state television to say that they had been part of a plot to remove Mr Obiang and put an exiled opposition leader in power.

"It wasn't a question of taking the life of the head of state but of spiriting him away, taking him to Spain and forcing him into exile and then of immediately installing the government-in-exile of Severo Moto Nsa," said the alleged coup leader, introduced as Nick du Toit, according to a transcript released by AFP news agency.

In Spain, Mr Moto, who led a failed coup bid in Equatorial Guinea in 1997, denied any role in the alleged plot but also launched a blistering attack on President Obiang, who himself took power in a coup in 1979.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3500132.stm

[AfricanSkies]

the bolt cutters are obviously the weapons of mass destruction ;)

[B Sousa]

Just to jump in one more time.............
And Guns I wasnt harping at you about things. Im sure you wouldnt give up a brother...

But the sad part of this whole thing is that Zim can blow this thing way out of line and these poor guys are going to sit in Sh1t until the press no longer carries the story.
I would like to mention a couple other things, but Im sure everyone who thinks he is an Intelligence Type has numerous copies of this thread already. Including those guys in Pretoria with all the antennas on the roof.
Heres hoping that those who were paying the big bucks, dig deep to get those guys back to Castle Country.

[Rhodie]

Dear Family and Friends,
Events in Zimbabwe this week have left us all open mouthed and shaking our
heads in disbelief, surprise and shock. Every day and every hour the talk
has been of mercenaries, conspiracies, terrorists and coup plots. No one
seems to be able to explain why an aeroplane landed in Harare with people,
described by local television as "burly, heavily built men" of assorted
nationalities. At first the talk was of 64 mercenaries, later in the week
it became 67. Reports as to what these men were doing here varied from
collecting mining equipment to guard mines in the DRC, to buying guns and
planning to overthrow the government of Equatorial Guinea. None of the
facts were clear and nothing became clearer as the week wore on.

On one day the Zimbabwe government talked of the UK, US and Spain being
involved in a plot to overthrow an African government, and on another day
the Minister of Foreign Affairs talked of capital punishment for the 67
men. Night after night our television screens have shown the same footage
again and again of the cargo on board the aeroplane. There were radios and
cellphones, loud hailers and bolt cutters, one very large sledge hammer
and one very small pepper spray, sleeping bags, trousers, white shirts and
something which the newsreader called a bright orange dinge. This turned
out to be an inflatable dinghy and when it was all put together, it made
for a most peculiar cargo for men who at first were called mercenaries and
terrorists by the State media but these terms were soon preceeded by the
words alleged and suspected.

On Friday, speaking to BBC radio, the lawyer appointed to represent the 67
men said that he had still not spoken to most of his sixty odd clients
because the police had not been given clearance by "higher authorities" to
allow interviews to be conducted. Also on Friday, on the front page of
what is now Zimbabwe's only daily newspaper, the State owned Herald, the
plot thickened. The Herald reported that an 8 man team had arrived in the
country from Equatorial Guinea to "exchange notes" about the 67 men. The
Herald chose a strange assortment of words to explain the total confusion
and said that the police and Attorney General's office were "continuing
with investigations and the framing of charges." By the end of the week,
when Spain was reeling after the horrific bombs in trains in Madrid, our
propaganda mill had turned the mercenary story and the weird cargo around.
The crawl line on the bottom of the TV screen read: "Zimbabwe is against
terrorism," and still we watched film footage of bolt cutters, one pepper
spray and a sledge hammer.

While the conspiracy theories abounded and Zimbabwe was featured on most
international news channels it was a tragedy that the story that really
should have been making world news was lost. A report was issued by The
Zimbabwe Institute in Cape Town which revealed utterly horrific facts and
figures about opposition politicians in Zimbabwe. 50 opposition MP's and
28 parliamentary candidates were interviewed and between them 616
incidents were documented. More than 90% of the MP's had experienced jail,
violence and threats; 25% had survived murder attempts; 42% reported
having been physically assaulted and 16% reported that they had been
tortured whilst in police custody - with electric shocks to the genitals
and beatings on the soles of their feet. The Zimbabwe Institute report
stated that of the 616 incidents, half had been blamed on police, army and
the CIO and the other half on men calling themselves war veterans and
members of Zimbabwe's youth militia. Most shocking of all was the
statement that not one single perpetrator had been arrested, charged or
tried for any of the 616 incidents.

So, while the mercenary plot thickens, life on the ground for Zimbabwe's
opposition politicians continues to be a time of personal terror. Until
next week, with love, cathy. Copyright cathy buckle 13th March 2003.
http://africantears.netfirms.com

[planetblu]

There was a very interesting program on BBC World investigating so called "Training Caps" were the Zim Governament is creating new human monsters brainwashing thousands of young people and teaching to them how to torture, kill, rape etc. We cannot expect justice or truth from that kind of people.
Maybe if the worldwide media interest will rise on the subject there will be a better chance for those people to walk away from there, sooner or later. :confused:

[V1 Rotate]

Why, why, why did these guys land in Mugo land in the first place:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:
V1:cool:

[PretoriaSillyperson]

In the right wing UK press, SM has already been convicted. With his known previous connections and activities in the public domain, the temptation to jump the gun is all too easy. Also, anyone with "Old Etonian" after their moniker is always going to get press interest in the UK.

Further, the Sunday Times and Her Majesty's Daily Mail have mentioned that SM is a SA Citizen. Below is a comment I made on the rumour network concerning this:

I'm a British Citizen with a Sith Ifican wife. Therefore, I hold a Brit passport and have Permanent Residence in SA. For a Brit to live in SA, this is the only way. Technically, it IS possible to take SA Citizenship but only on pain of renouncing British citizenship - and I've never heard of or met anyone who has done that. (In fact, the reason Zimbos are having trouble returning to the UK after years in Zim is because they were effectively forced to renounce the UK ticket and take up Zim citizenship if they wished to stay in Zim.) Ergo, SM will be a Brit and entitled to the "help" afforded to him by the Foreign Orifice. Make of this - and the behaviour of Our Man in Cape Town - what you will.

PSP
London
-------------
If I'm wrong - tell me - because I get lots of queries from friends and rellies about emmigration. I therefore stand up only to be corrected!

Yours Aye,
PSP
London

[Gunship]

Why, why, why did these guys land in Mugo land in the first place
V1



They bought a legal shipment of arms and went to fetch it on their way .... :ugh:

[B Sousa]

Guns Writes:"They bought a legal shipment of arms and went to fetch it on their way .... "

......Said the Spider to the Fly............

Bobbie is smiling so much that the night is light from the reflection on his Ivorys.......As I said untill its no longer newsworthy those guys are in Deep Doo Doo. My thoughts are with them.
Heres hoping someone has the Duckets to appease Papa Bobbie. If they are harmed I have a Randall for the one who gives him the final shave.....

[Coleman Myers]

I guess with cash upfront and no goods to show for it (USD 186k was the figure I understand), a plane full of "security experts" with 39 Batalion histories etc. were a God send to wriggle out of a deal and score some free "much needed foreign currency". Zimbabwe Defense Industries is no stranger to scandal and dubious activities, (including dark practicesin the Harare Airport construction tender). They sniff around up in Kenya from time to time, but their latest partnership involves the very secretive AVIENT air cargo and a bunch of Rusky equipment to replace AIR ZIM's ageing Boeing 737's. Heard that AIR ZIM are sending delegates to LUFTHANSA for a new look interior - I wonder if they have any STC's for YAKS ?????.

[126,7]

South African foreign affairs officials have been unable to confirm or deny a newspaper report stating that alleged mercenary Nick du Toit has been "tortured to death" in Equatorial Guinea


According to a spanish newspaper! Africa showing its value for human life! :ugh:


Edited to add following:
du Toit is ok it seems, but a german soldier died. It is said due to malaria!! I wonder....

[V1 Rotate]

Guns,

If that is the case where is all the paperwork? Surely there must be wads of the stuff?

This is now featuring in the US media, CNN, Fox, CBS etc. Someone should provide them the docs to show that Mugabes is a fraud and help get these guys on their way.

V1

[finnman]

perhaps my friend above could explain what is so secretive
about avient air cargo

[RUDAS]

OOOH...Mr Sousa,thats a classic chirp!!!!:ok: :cool:

[manamana]

The only way these guys cold have got weapons in Zim would be from the ruling terrorists ZANU PF. If they had indeed bought weapons from the Zim Def Force they would have had a special clearance, priority treatment and probably free fuel as well.

In the DRC there is a small town called Kilwa, which is a predominantly mining town. Some locals got upset as the mine was employing staff from Lubumbashe and not Kilwa. A small dispute broke out, and quickly escalated. Aparently these "mercenaries" were on their way to this and other mines in the DRC to help out and bolster security on the mines, as well as deliver some mining equipment. Due to their detention and non arrival in the DRC, a local war actually broke out in Kilwa and its surrounds about 10 days ago. 3 days after the "mercs" were supposed to arrive to help calm things down.

This is apparently the "true story". These guys were linked to the Equatorial Guinea 15 by some imaginitive Mugarbage spinner. No where has any link been found or reported between the 2 groups of people.

It seems uncle Bob now has even more deaths on his hands. Those of the mine workers in Kilwa.

More support for the brave MDC opposition who face so much to try and rid Zim of the Dictator.:ouch:

[V1 Rotate]

manmana,

Where can we seek corroboration of this ? Where did you get your info?

V1

[Rhodie]

SA asked to help 'coup' men
25/03/2004 22:13 - (SA)


Erika Gibson


Pretoria - The families of the seven South Africans held for more than two weeks in Equatorial Guinea have asked the South African government to intervene and have the men extradited.

The men are accused of hatching a coup attempt in the central African country.

Dries Coetzee, who acts as co-ordinator of the families, said such an extradition process was long and protracted.

The prerequisite was that South Africa and the particular country had, or introduced, an extradition agreement.

This is apparently one of the aspects investigated by a South African delegation that recently visited the men, .

Coetzee said the South African government was also asked to make regular consular visits to the men to ensure they were being held in acceptable conditions.

Coetzee said: "Third, we asked for permission and assistance to visit the men on behalf of the families.

"We are now waiting for various departments that are involved in the extradition request to come back to us.

Families want regular information

"Since the delegation visited the country, we have had no information about the men. We are standing still.

"The first thing we want to get going is to provide the families with regular information about the men."

Nick du Toit, Bone Boonzaaier, Mark Schmidt, José Domingo, Sergio Cardoso, Abel Augusto and George Alerson were arrested more than two weeks ago, shortly before 70 alleged mercenaries were arrested and their plane grounded at Zimbabwe Airport.

Du Toit's group, which included 13 foreigners as well, were accused of planning to overthrow the government of President Obiang Nguema and take him to Spain.

The ousted Equatorial Guinean opposition leader, Severo Moto, who lived in Spain, was apparently supposed to be appointed as his successor.

Amnesty International calling for action

One of the foreigners, a German known as Gerhard Eugen Nershz, died a week ago, either from cerebral malaria or torture.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International is encouraging people worldwide to direct requests in writing to Nguema and his cabinet about claims that the men in prison are being tortured.

Amnesty said people should ask the EG government to improve the terrible conditions in the prison and to stop the apparent torture.

The organisation also calls for an independent investigation into Nershz's death and that, if someone is found to be responsible for his death, this person be prosecuted.

Send e-mail to [email protected]
Edited by Iaine

[4granted]

Zimbabwean armament officials have been arrested in secret for collaboration with the band of alleged mercenaries being held in Harare.

The officials agreed to sell arms to the men in a bid to get access to scarce foreign currency and boost Zimbabwe's arms parastatal's business, security sources have revealed.

A Zimbabwean criminal investigation official has confirmed that three Zimbabwean Defence Industries (ZDI) officials have been held secretly here over their involvement with the deal with the "mercenaries".

While the group of 70, made up mostly of South Africans, appeared in a makeshift court in Chikurubi Maximum Prison this week, there was no word or sign of ZDI officials. The state has charged the alleged mercenaries with buying arms from ZDI and having made an initial payout of $90 000 (about R630 000) as an upfront transaction for the balance of $180 000 for armaments.

The investigating officer refused to disclose the progress and details of charges brought against ZDI officials who were involved in the deal.

The deal involved buying arms that included 61 AK-47 assault rifles, 45 000 rounds of ammunition, 100 rocket propelled grenade launchers and 20 light machine guns.

A diplomatic source said the ZDI had no business in selling arms to individual private citizens. "It should be selling arms to the government and in terms of prescribed rules and laws. It's like (in South Africa) Denel cannot sell (arms) to individuals or governments that are involved in conflict.

"We are worried about ZDI's conduct that it has intended to sell arms to these individuals.

"The fact that they had met (alleged mercenary leader Simon) Mann and concluded the deal leaves much to be desired."

[Rhodie]

Iv'e brought this thread back to the front page because it's not over yet and I think these guys are going to need our support, in any small way..

Thanks..

R

[PretoriaSillyperson]

Rhodie - Good one.

There's been nothing in the mainstream UK press. All gone (suspiciously) quiet on this one. HM Govt. isn't known for its assistance of foreign types in trouble in Africa (viz. current Rwanda anniversary) but with someone as Establishment as SM one would have expected a bit more help - although that may of course be happening and be the reason fot the current quietitude.

PSP

[doubleu-anker]

Wouldn't get your hopes up on that one.

It was a UK govenment that sold out the Rhodesians (salt of the earth) in 1980. The whole country, not just a plane load of secuity personal.

Thats the reason it's in such a bloody state today.

[Rhodie]

Thanks PSP and Roger that, DA...

DA, have a look at the Campfire - you will see (if you don't mind the cry), where it's now going with South West, thanks to the rest of the world interfering.... :sad:

Bert - got the mail.. I know I may be hoping, but let's give it a bash anyway...

Cheers

R

[Took out the personal info - names could cause problems..... R]

[Gunship]

Rhodie :


Iv'e brought this thread back to the front page because it's not over yet and I think these guys are going to need our support, in any small way..

Thanks..

R

Thanks for that Rhodie.

What the guys need right now is your Prayers for a "fair trail".
They are in "court" tomorrow and their main wish is to return to SA and face the court / scorpions there.

They acknowledge they made mistakes but would like to be trailed in their own country.

Is that asking for a lot ?

Rumour has it between themselves that the case is going to be postponed till December !!

I really hope not - as the political play ball would have been sucked up by then !

Please pray for them - especially re tomorrow's outcome.

Tx and cheers,

Gunnsss

[Douglas Racer]

Guys, check out this website:

http://eud-international.org/

It has a lot of interesting gen on the case. Just wonder who was sitting in the bushes watching the aircraft taxy from one side of Harare to the other? Seems like very accurate information for something which is "just supposed to be commentary"!!

Furthermore:

1. If the yanks were involved, they won't give a damn now, got too much on their plates with Iraq and electing a new leader.

2. Ditto for the poms, immigration deals are now their issue, (oh, and of course, Beckham's antics are more interesting!)

3. Spanish help, sorry, the new government is not sympathetic, the new guy is pulling Spanish troops out of Iraq, remember. (He doesn't want to rock the boat, see!)

4. As for good old RSA, they couldn't give a flying sh1t for a bunch of white honkeys and some ex 32Bn Angolan blacks, they'd be only too happy to be rid of them!

Besides, they'd rather support Aristide, or any other cannibalistic despot, preferably one who has been mishandled by the Devil White Slavemasters of the very distant past.

So, from whence will their help now come??

:*

[flyhardmo]

What an interesting read. Better watch your back racer. The unintelligence agencys of RSA,ZIM and EG might be after you for showing us the truth. Its also great how the world is helping out in this situation by doing sweet FA.
Hope some1 can rescue those guys cause there will be no such thing as a fair trial if they are still alive by the time that a trial in convened.

[Rhodie]

Roger that Gunnss, and thanks for the support..

DR - interesting read..!

As Douglas Racer states - the rest of the world doesn't seem to care a rat's @ss about the guys being detained. What happened to the rule of law and the right to a fair trial - it seems, in Africa, that any trumped up evidence (Bolt cutters et al ) can suffice as proof of guilt..

What about the aircrew - why no answer on them.? They have not been classed as "mercenaries" and yet they are still being detained..

I don't know what I can do alone, but I will do what I can..

Sorry, maybe not alone, given the support on this thread - thanks all, again.

R

[warloc67]

Heard through the grapevine that SA's Nskosana Zuma will intervene after the elections, maybe they do'nt want to upste the apple cart during the happy, happy holidays.

[francois marais]

I really do hope that these guys will know their fate soon. Sitting in anticipation waiting, is a killer, and all the uncertainties that goes along with it. My thoughts are most certainly with the guys and their families. Good luck fellas.

Any news on the outcome of Tuesday's hearing?

[sam6]

I think this is the last you will hear of these killas for hire. Bob will sort them out.

[clipboard]

:mad: :} Sam6, what an arrogant, uncalled for statement!:yuk:
Do you know these guys? Have you ever been in service my man?

Its all OK for you to sit there and be judgemental. Do you know anything about cameraderie? Its c..:mad: ts like you who have nothing to do but slate others that makes me wanna puke.....all over you...:yuk:

[Solid Rust Twotter]

About what one would expect from the supporters of the current racist regime in SA. Seems Mad Bob can do no wrong in their eyes.

shame6, ever heard of innocent until proven guilty or doesn't that work in your new people's free worker's paradise kleptocracy? The few small concessions made to human rights by the new oppressors are overshadowed by their covert activities passing draconian new anti privacy and private ownership laws. We're not more than five years away from being another basket case like Zim.

Before you work yourself into a lather please tell me why no heed was paid to the rights of those people to be tried in SA if the evidence was so clear to the authorities but rather to allow them to be detained in a country where the rule of law is marginal at best and where trumped up evidence is regarded as the norm.

[blowawayjet]

me thinks sam6 is going a bit too far now..... agree with b sousa, time to get out of here.

[blowawayjet]

done.....hope the rest here will follow....

[Gunship]

Cheers blowawayjet,

Re the thread topic.

The guys are all in good health excpet the one's knee as could be seen from the pics on the net.

Their concern remains that they will be used as political playballs.

Well at least let us hope they get a fair trail in SA. Something they are all willing to do.

Take the punch and get it over and done with ... get their lives back together.

PS: Just remember they never left the aircraft under free will.

Cheers,

Gunsss

[Jetdriver]

Sorry folks we can't do that ! All I can say is read the big red print at the bottom of each page. :suspect:

[CaneRat]

Hello Chaps,

Looks like SAM6 has wound his neck back in.:p

The following is a pipe-dream. "Would it not be sweet if some kind gent posted SAM6's contact details on PPRUNE?" You know, home address, phone number ETC etc...Mmmmmmm, what a lovely gift it would be! :ok:

Anyway Chaps, a good day to you all.

Cheers

[4HolerPoler]

Your help in assisting us in getting this thread back to the original topic would be hugely appreciated. Can we please stop dreaming about seeking vengance from this guy who has set a bait and clearly succeeded.

4HP

[Sheep Guts]

Well lets hope this gets sorted out. Myself wouldnt land in Harare unless it was a low flight and was on the pickle button.Me asks why they landed in Harare of all places, if they needed fuel surley there would have been other options.

I wish everyone involved is released soon and this has a happy ending.



Sheep

[B Sousa]

Dam........Im sure you would have gotten the information.. Then Guns tried to bribe the Mod with Tassies.....That will never work...

[sam6]

You guys too serious!!!
Maybe working too hard yep??

[4HolerPoler]

Don't rise to the bait guys. This most recent snipe has cost him a whole bunch of privileges. Can't say too much but don't expect to be hearing from him again.

4HP

[montys ex teaboy]

Now that Bob has lost his "tackle" and all that, why doesn't it put on a skirt? That way the freck show would be almost compete.

Maybe then he will show his femine side off and give those poor guys a decent hearing.

Seems he's got an A/C out of it, which should ensure Air Zim's schedules wont suffer from a comadeered pax plane everytime it wishes to travel.:O

[Rhodie]

Gunnss

Was going to PM you on this, but thought I would leave it open for response..

If you know of any direct family, PM me - I will happily start a donations drive for their immediate needs and whatever other support, legal, monetary, that may be needed.

Cheers

R

[Gunship]

Cheers Rhodie,

That is a very kind gesture. :D

I have had a request and await further details.
I will let you know as soon as I have them.


Cheers and many thanks !

Gunns (well and truley back) ;)

[The Claw]

The one good thing to come out of this, (if one can call it that?) is that they have had to move the "Harare 3" out of Chikurubi in order to accommodate the new prisoners. Hopefully things will continue to improve for them. :(

I feel that South Africa has a lot to answer for in this case and hopefully they'll get their act together this time, by helping those now at Chikurubi! :\

[Solid Rust Twotter]

This lot? Do something to offend Mad Bob?


You'll have to carry a reinforced umbrella to avoid pig doo-doo first.....:(

[The Claw]

IF anyone wants to assist Philip Conjwayo, Kevin Woods or Mike Smith, (Harare 3), then they can do so by sending parcels to

Harare Central Prison
PO Box CY188
Causeway
Harare
Zimbabwe

Please only send any of the following, since anything else will be confiscated;

Dark coloured hand towels, small sachets of powdered drinks, grey socks, Cold/Flu tablets, antiseptic wipes, AA batteries(For Kev only), sachets of sauces(vinegar, ketchup etc.), packets of instant soup, coffe bags, tea bags, powdered milk, Muesli, biscuits, Peanuts&Raisins or dried fruit, sweets, Vitamin tablets, toothpaste in plastic tubes, toothbrushes and medicated bath soap, cigarettes and reading material. (Please use common sense with reading matter.)

Those of you working for airlines, please spare a thought next time you bin those valuable sachets on the crew trays!

We will try to assist those now at Chikurubi, once more details become available.

Many thanks, :ok:

[SortieIII]

This extract is from the Mail & Guardian online (28/04): -

"Zimbabwe's government said on Tuesday it had revised its extradition policy in order to extradite 70 suspected mercenaries accused of plotting a coup in the oil-rich west African nation of Equatorial Guinea."

Very bad news for these guys if this is true - believe they will be extradited to Equatorial Guinea.

[Rhodie]

While Bob has been wined and dined in SA, compliments of the tax-payers R90m on the inauguration (not withstanding that a number of top hotels "declined" to accomodate Bob and Mrs. Bob) - the prisoners are being tortured...

Excerpt from report: "Guvamombe (Regional magistrate) issued an order for investigations into torture allegations by some of the 67 'suspected mercenaries' held in Harare.
Guvamombe issued his order after defence witness Jaap Steyl, a co-pilot of the Boeing 727 that was impounded at Harare International Airport, allegedly en route to Equatorial Guinea to stage a coup, claimed he had been tortured."

If they are torturing the pilots - and I have no doubt that they have, what chance do the others have.

Any 'frothblowers' want to come out of retirement..? The queue begins at my front door, I'm first in line.

R

[Deanw]

Zim 70: SA won't intervene
29/04/2004 21:56 - (SA)

Johannesburg - The South African government will not intervene in Zimbabwe's extradition of a 70-strong alleged mercenary group, including 20 South Africans, to Equatorial Guinea, the foreign affairs department said on Thursday.

"There is no legal basis for South Africa to demand that its nationals should not be extradited to another country," the department said in a statement.

However, the government would continue to offer consular services to the men.

The West African country's president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema, has previously said 15 men arrested in his country, who are alleged to have been in cohorts with the 70, faced capital punishment, Agence France Presse (AFP) reported.

"If we have to kill them, we will kill them," said Obiang, whose 25-year rule was allegedly to have been ended by the groups in a coup.

The 70 men were all travelling on South African passports when they were arrested in Harare on March 7.

They deny they were involved in a plot to overthrow Obiang and take control of his oil-rich nation, allegedly ahead of the reinstatement of Francisco Macias Nguema, who was deposed in a coup by Obiang in the late 70s. They claimed they were on their way to the Democratic Republic of Congo to guard diamond mines.

Face trial in Equatorial Guinea

Foreign affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said the government could not comment further on the matter at this stage.

The AFP report quoted an unnamed official who confirmed that Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe had has agreed to hand the men over to Equatorial Guinea.

The decision was taken following talks between Mugabe and Obiang in Zimbabwe's second city of Bulawayo.

"The president agreed to extradite the 70 mercenaries so that they could go and face trial in Equatorial Guinea," the official, anonymous on request, said.

The foreign affairs department said both Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea were sovereign states with the necessary legal capacity to take legal decisions regarding matters affecting their states.

Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea were parties to the Organisation of African Union's Convention for the Elimination of Mercenarism in Africa, which demands that the signatories extradite, or punish on their own soil, those who committed mercenary acts in the member countries.

[Cardinal Puff]

I'd still like to know why they were allowed to leave SA if the govt knew what they were allegedly up to. By knowingly allowing them to be captured in a foreign country where they face the death penalty flies in the face of the SA Constitution and is another glaring case of the govt having one set of rules for some and a quite different way of dealing with others.

I also seem to recall the SA govt refusing extradition of someone to another country on the grounds that they still enforced the death penalty and that it would have been unconstitutional. Is this just another example of their devious two faced manner of doing things?

[George Tower]

I seem to recall that the ANC were very critical of the treatment of people held in Guantanamo Bay by the US. I think here we also have a similar situation and nothing is being done. Blatant and nausiating hypocracy.

For SA to do nothing when these men face the death penalty if found guilty by a kangaroo court stinks to high heaven.

[Deanw]

Just a thought:

You are a train / bus driver (the one that goes on the road!). You transport a person to a location, thinking they had a legitimate reason for going there. It then transpires that the person committed an offence at that location.

You don't see them prosecuting the driver, do you? :sad:

[126,7]

Deanw
Are you trying to apply logic here? Remember where this is taking place. These folks dont even know the meaning of the word or the effect that logic has on day to day life. Just read about the english TV-crew that was expelled from the country for illegally covering the cricket!!!! Geeez, when is somebody gonna step up and do something about these fools? Come on Thabo, show us and the world what a man you can be! You should've arrested him while he was there in your house in Pretoria!!!!

My prayers are with those poor guys in that Zim s:mad: thole prison.

[Deanw]

126.7

Too true, bro, too true :{

[contraxdog]

To all frothblowers,
They are not going to take the train or ships or automobiles to get them to Malabo.......
Maybe they will march them there?
The South African ANC Goverment did blow the whistle after they left SA.
They have decide to have an example made of them. They are using it as a deterrent because they fear the same thing in SA. They cannot make an example of them in SA as the public opinion will let things get out of hand, because of the liberal constitution.
Obiang did come to power as the result of the a coup. He shot his uncle in the back of the head with a 9mm. Personally. He has not been charged for murder......
He did get rid of his opposition long before he held any election. Opposition party busines is not a healty living style in EG.The Fang ethnic group to which Obiang belongs also used the whole opposition ticket to rid Malabo of and torture the Bubi population that were the oridginal native tribe on the iland.
EG is not ruled from Malabo but from Mongomo on the Gabon/EG border. It is ruled by the village elders of the Fang tribe in Mongomo. Obiang is their appointed president. I am sure they can be convinced that this whole issue is getting out of hand.......
It has been said that Obiangs son is not prepared to wait patiently in the wings anymore, while waiting that his farther's prostate canser finish him off. That is why Obiang surrounded himself with merecenary Morrocan body guards. He doesnt trust his own tribes men.
If anyone wants to read about the EG regime there is a wonderful book that is banned in EG, Tropical Gangsters that is available on Amazon.com.

..the time has come the walrus said.to speak of many things,of pirate ships and selaing wax and cabbages and kings...."

[B Sousa]

Latest:

DA seeks clarity on captured mercenaries

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Democratic Alliance said on Sunday it was concerned about the prospects of suspected South African mercenaries getting a fair trial in Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea, where they are currently being held.
The DA's Douglas Gibson said he intended to ask searching questions about how the government had handled the whole situation, particularly because the so-called mercenaries might not receive a fair hearing if tried in the countries which had captured them.

"Mercenary activity of any kind can under no circumstances be defended, due to its scurrilous history on the African continent. Yet no matter how deplorable mercenaries may be, everyone is entitled to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence before guilt. It appears that the South Africans being held in Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea are unlikely to receive either of these most basic of rights."

He said the DA wanted to get clarity on the government's handling of the situation and intended to pose a number of questions in Parliament to the ministers of foreign affairs and intelligence.

The DA wanted to know:

Were the South African intelligence services aware that there were suspected mercenaries on their way to Zimbabwe? If they were, why did they not impound the plane in question before it left South Africa?
Who took the political decision to allow the plane in question to depart for Zimbabwe; if not the president, was he advised of this decision? In this regard was the national director of public prosecutions consulted about possible criminal charges being laid in South Africa?
What were the criteria used to decide that it would be best to allow South African citizens to stand trial in Zimbabwe or Equatorial Guinea? If convicted, the group coulod be given the death penalty in both countries. Given the absence of a proper judicial system in either country the prospect of a fair trial does not seem very likely.
Did the security forces co-operate with their counterparts from Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea, if so to what extent?
Why were South African diplomatic officials so slow to intervene after the arrest of the 15 South African suspected mercenaries in Equatorial Guinea? More than 11 days were allowed to elapse before any South African official visited the group in jail.
Why has the South African government not taken steps to bring the South Africans involved to stand trial in South Africa under the Foreign Military Assistance Act? In this regard, has the government taken cognisance of the fact that Jan Henning of the National Prosecuting Authority has stated that South Africa should have no involvement in the trial in Equatorial Guinea, as there is no chance of a fair trial taking place in that country.
What steps will the South African government take to assist its citizens in Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe?
Gibson said party members would monitor the situation carefully.
"The DA will continue to scrutinise the actions of the government in this matter, not because it is a champion of mercenaries, but because it firmly believes in the notion that all South Africans deserve to be presumed innocent until proven guilty and that everyone deserves the right to a fair trial."

Sapa

[Gunship]

Great post Contraxdog - very nice summary.

Here are the latest from today's "court " proceedings.




Harare - Zimbabwean authorities put 70 accused mercenaries in leg irons around the clock after learning of a plot to spring them from jail, state lawyers said on Monday.

The men have been held at the Chikurubi prison complex in Zimbabwe's capital Harare since being arrested in March on suspicion of plotting a coup in Equatorial Guinea.

"On Friday senior officials and other officials came to the prison and ordered that the prisoners should be in leg irons. There were plans to spring the prisoners out of Chikurubi," state lawyer Lawrence Phiri told a court inside the complex.

"The authorities saw it fit that they should be kept in leg irons until further notice given that it would be easier to spring someone out of prison that did not have leg irons," he said, giving no more detail on the alleged plot.

The accused were forced to remain in leg irons throughout Monday morning's hearing, even though a magistrate had ordered the chains be removed during court sessions.

Zimbabwean authorities have begun legal moves that could see the group, who are mainly from South Africa, Angola and Namibia, extradited to face trial in oil-rich Equatorial Guinea where another smaller group is being held on suspicion of being involved in the same plot.

From IOL (http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=68&art_id=qw1083588300452B251&set_id=1)

[moo]

slightly off topic...... (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3459139.stm)

[planecrazi]

Zim jail 'worse than Auschwitz'
04/05/2004 22:28__-_(SA)__


Pretoria - Advocate Francois Joubert SC and Alwyn Griebenow who are representing the 70 men being held in Harare's maximum security Chikurubi Prison on charges of coup plotting have described the jail as a camp worse than Auschwitz.

The legal team was speaking after their arrival in South Africa from Zimbabwe where they have been dealing with the men's case.

They say the white men in the group, in particular, are at times placed in a cell that measures only a square metre.

The men are given food in this cell - mostly pap - once a day. This is pushed under the door and they have to eat with their hands.

While in these cells, they are not allowed anything to read, nor are they allowed anything with which to write.

Some of the men are forced to undress and sit naked in front of the other prisoners. On some days, it is "officially" approved that prisoners be abused.

Bodies are carried out of prison

"One hears how the people are assaulted with batons to anything (that is handy).

"Reon Schutte, another South African who is dying of cancer and who has been in Chikurubi for more than 10 years on charges of apartheid crimes, has had all his teeth knocked out.

One also sees how bodies are carried out of the prison.

"Only then is the abuse over," said Joubert.

According to him, this has had a traumatic effect on the South Africans and their families.

The prison supplies only a blanket and the men wear summer prison clothes.

Lice is rife, but prison authorities refuse to allow the man insecticides.

Joubert said some of the men had contracted a skin disease, possibly due to the poor food. One also had chickenpox. These were the most horrific conditions that one could imagine.

He said that every day the men got pap and a cup of dried rice with a bit of cooked cabbage.

After the legal team got a court order to allow them to take in food, the prison authorities claimed it would have to be tasted in their presence.

The prison also had no jerseys for the men. The men's families organised jerseys that looked exactly like prison ones as well as socks.

Kept under restraint 24 hours a day

Now, the prison authorities were refusing to allow the men to have the jerseys.

There were reports that the men were planning to escape and they were now being kept in handcuffs and leg irons 24 hours a day.

"They are also not allowed to wear the socks because then the leg irons don't chaff as much," said Griebenow.

He said it was ironic that the "experienced" prisoners were helping the South Africans. They kept up their spirits and advised them from experience.

Griebenow said: "They are hardened and used to the conditions. Surprisingly, the men are in good spirits and are positive."Zim Jail (http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_1521967,00.html) :ugh:

[Douglas Racer]

PLEASE TAKE 2 MINUTES TO READ ... OUR FAMILY NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT - THEN PLEASE PASS ON AND COPY MY BROTHER-IN-LAW Craig Hudson on [email protected]




Dear Friends,


I am writing this e-mail as a last desperate attempt to save 70 men, from what will surely be, a terrible human rights violation, if Mr. Mugabe's plan to extradite them from Zimbabwe to Equatorial Guinea goes through. For those of you that are not aware of the events leading up to their incarceration, I will briefly paint the scenario:


On the 7 March 2004, 3 crew, 64 security guards, and a cargo of supplies left South Africa on a chartered flight for the Democratic republic of Congo. On route they landed in Zimbabwe, at Harare International Airport, to pick up a consignment of arms and ammunition which had been legally purchased from Zimbabwe Defense Industries. The men, the supplies and the ammunitions were to be used to guard mines in the DRC. On landing in Harare the plane was boarded by the Zimbabwe military, and all the crew and passengers were arrested, for supposedly contravening Zimbabwe immigration laws, for contravening laws regarding the possession of weapons, (Which they did not have in their possession yet), and plotting a coupe in Equatorial Guinea.


Unbeknown to any of the men, 15 men had been arrested in Equatorial Guinea for supposedly plotting to kill the president of that country, and overthrow his government. Allegedly they were going to replace him with the previous leader of the country, in return for oil and mining rights. The president of EG is MR Nguema, an absolute dictator, who rules his country with an iron fist. There are no newspapers or bookshops in EG. The people do not receive any education. And there is definitely no Rule of law. This man had is own Uncle executed after he took over the country. A South African man named Nick Du Toit appeared on National television claiming that the men in Zimbabwe were destined for Equatorial Guinea, and the 14 men in EG were an advance party. Anyone who watched this broadcast could have seen that he was making this statement under duress. It could be clearly heard that someone was coaching him from behind the camera. Mr. Du Toit an ex Special Forces member and now businessman in EG, had made this confession only two days after his arrest. What self serving Special Forces member would give up this information so quickly? A week later it was reported that one of the 15 had died from Cerebral Malaria. A man who was this sick was going to overthrow the government? I can't believe it.


Meanwhile back in Zimbabwe the 70 men were sitting in jail. Many accusations were being reported in the media, without may I add any solid proof, to back any of the media reports. Our own Foreign Minister the Honorable DR. Zuma went on national television and stated that Foreign affairs could do nothing for these men as they had committed a crime in another country. What crime? No charges had been laid against any of the men yet. What happened to our Constitutional right to be Innocent until Proven Guilty? The charges as mentioned earlier were only laid a number of days later, and the men were remanded in custody until their court appearance date of the 5 April 2004. On this date the case was postponed, and after numerous postponements the case was finally heard this weak. Meanwhile the men remained in a maximum security prison in Zimbabwe, where the have allegedly been tortured and beaten by some "other force" according to the Zimbabwe courts. On Wednesday the defense gave there closing arguments, but the prosecution claimed they were not ready with their closing arguments, and the case was adjourned until today 30 April 2004. I believe no credible evidence was given against the 70 men, and the defense requested that all charges be dropped, and the men be released.

The story now takes a turn for the worse. On Wednesday 28 April 2004, Zimbabwe suddenly signs an extradition treaty with Equatorial Guinea. On Thursday President Nguema flies into Bulawayo and has a meeting with President Mugabe, and now all of a sudden the 70 men are to be extradited to EG. If I am not mistaken in most countries you can only be extradited to another country to stand trial if you have committed a crime in that country. 99% of these men never been to Equatorial Guinea, let alone committed a crime there. The South African Foreign affairs ministry sent a delegation to EG in March to visit the detainees. They never got to see them. On their return to South Africa they stated in their report, that they do not believe that the men would receive a fair trial in that country. If this is the case, then the 70 men, will surely also not receive a fair trial.


The Foreign Ministry has stated that they cannot intervene, as they have no legal grounds. What happened to our constitution, which gives every one of us the right to a fair trial? If the Foreign Ministry believes that they are guilty then the 70 men should have been extradited to South Africa, and stand trial under The Foreign Military Assistance act? But they have not applied for extradition to RSA, so we must assume they to have no evidence to support the claims, in which case the 70 men are innocent, and DR. Zuma should be doing everything in her power to have the 70 men released, and returned home. These 70 men do have rights under our constitution, just as all prisoners in South Africa have rights.


I have put you through the agony of this story, as one of the 70 men, is my Father in-law. He was the flight Engineer on this plane, and was only contracted for this charter flight. Even if the Foreign Ministry has no legal grounds to oppose the extradition, they have a moral and civic duty to ensure that all South Africans are awarded all Human Rights under our constitution, and that includes a fair trial. Quiet diplomacy will not help.

Please send this mail to all your friends and colleagues, and copy me. This way we can form a petition to take to our Honorable President Mr. Mbeki that he may intervene and ensure that these men come home safely.



Best Regards



Craig Hudson

Boksburg 17 Round Table

East Rand Area IRO/PRO



Tel : +27 11 455 0265

Fax : +27 11 455 0268

Mobile: +27 82 820 8658

e-mail : [email protected]

[Deanw]

Double standards over torture
05/05/2004

Cape Town - Freedom Front Plus leader Dr Pieter Mulder on Wednesday accused government of double standards when it comes to the issue of torture around the world.

The FF Plus supported Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad's condemnation of the alleged torture and humiliation of Iraqi prisoners by American and British soldiers.

In the so-called war against terrorism actions such as these were like pouring oil on the fire of extremist Muslim groups, and confirmed the ignorance of the United States regarding the handling of terrorism.

However, South Africans "are sick and tired of double standards".

"For what reason did Deputy Minister Pahad at the same time not condemn the torture and maltreatment of 70 South African citizens in Zimbabwean jails?

"Shocking evidence of poor treatment of South African citizens in Zimbabwean jails was published during the last couple of weeks," he said.

These South African citizens were still awaiting trail and should therefore be regarded as not guilty.

Pahad and government's silence and lack of action sent a clear message of double standards regarding Zimbabwe.

When Robert McBride was imprisoned in 1999 for alleged arms trafficking and espionage in Mozambique the government did everything in its power to assist him.

"For what reason is government now acting differently?" Mulder asked.

[Metro man]

An indication of conditions in Chikurubi: http://free-harare3.org/

[thrushdriver]

Popped into Charles Prince airport the other day to find the place crawling in soldiers. An Armoured car and twin anti-aircraft gun was parked right on the threshhold of runway 24. Didn't see what may have been parked on the other thresholds!!

[Treetopflyer]

Just coming back from a medevac in Malabo. These guys were already freaks before, but now it seems they have become completely crazy about incoming planes. My company used to have authorizations valid for 3 months to fly into Equatorial Guinea, now their validity has gone down to 48 hours!!!

Also, the Mi24s which used to be based in Bata have been brought back to the capital.

[mini]

Guys, this is reaching crisis point.

the only way we can we can influence the outcome here is through Mbeki.

We need to establish a link. Zim is so short of so many things right now, leaverage is our best weapon. How is this done?

Forget about your Geneva Convention etc. This is the real world

[Deanw]

Harare court refuses to drop 'mercenary' case

May 12 2004

Harare - A Zimbabwe magistrate on Wednesday refused to dismiss a case against 70 suspected mercenaries, saying there was evidence to suggest that they were part of a plot to topple the president of oil-rich Equatorial Guinea.

Magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe told a special court hearing in a high-security Harare prison that government lawyers had shown that the men - mostly South Africans - should stand trial.

"I am satisfied that there is a reasonable suspicion that the 70 suspected persons committed a crime as alleged by the state," Guvamombe said, rejecting a defence bid to have the case dismissed.

The men were arrested in March after their plane landed in Harare on what Zimbabwe officials said was a mission to oust President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, sub-Saharan Africa's third largest oil producer.

'The state has got no case to start with'
The suspects have denied the charges, saying they were heading to the Democratic Republic of Congo to guard mining operations.

But state lawyer Lawrence Phiri told the court on Wednesday that prosecutors had evidence of a contract between one of the detained men, Simon Mann, and exiled Equatorial Guinea opposition leader Severo Moto.

"There is an existing contract, and we have that contract, to show that Simon Mann and his men were going to be paid a certain amount, with the highest being $15-million for Simon Mann and $3-million for the generality," Phiri said.

Phiri also said the government had a videotape of Mann contracting to buy "dangerous weapons" from state-owned arms maker Zimbabwe Defence Industries during an earlier trip to Zimbabwe.

"Any reasonable man, hearing what they did, would conclude that they were terrorists and mercenaries," Phiri said.

They fear the men could be executed if found guilty
Jonathan Samkange, a lawyer for the detained men, said the state had not produced any evidence to back up its allegations and urged the court to free the suspects.

"The state has got no case to start with," Samkange said.

Equatorial Guinea has detained another 15 men on similar charges, saying foreign interests were behind the alleged coup plot.

Friends and family members of the men arrested in Zimbabwe have urged South Africa to intervene, saying they fear the men could be executed if found guilty.

South Africa, which has laws barring its citizens from mercenary activity, has said it will not get involved in the trial but may attempt to intervene if death sentences are passed.

News24

[4HolerPoler]

Now things start to get a little clearer. Or muddier - depending on how you look at it.

Zim 70 in blood-for-fuel deal?

Pretoria - The 70 South Africans being held in Zimbabwe for an alleged coup attempt reportedly will be extradited to Equatorial Guinea in a "blood-for-fuel transaction". The value of the transaction between Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and President Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea is estimated at U$1.2bn. The agreement was apparently reached when the two leaders were in South Africa for the inauguration of South African President Thabo Mbeki. Mbeki, Mugabe and Nguema held talks while the two foreign heads of state were here for the inauguration.

Wilna Lubbe, the lawyer representing the men, said in Pretoria on Friday it was alarming that South African lives had become so cheap that they could be exchanged for commodities such as fuel. On Friday, The Independent in Zimbabwe reported that intelligence sources had claimed Zimbabwe would receive the fuel as soon as the men were extradited.

The agreement apparently is that for the next two years Zimbabwe will receive fuel to the value of US$50m a month.
Equatorial Guinea is one of the most-recent African suppliers of fuel, from which countries such as the United States benefits.
According to the agreement, Equatorial Guinea will supply 65 million litres of diesel and 40 million litres of petrol a month.
This deal will greatly alleviate Zimbabwe's dragging fuel crisis after a much-smaller transaction fell through between Harare and Libya in exchange for certain key properties .

These developments follow a change of heart by the Zimbabwean government, which until recently had declared explicitly that the men would not be extradited until they had had a fair trial. Shortly after this announcement, and just before the inauguration in South Africa, Zimbabwe's extradition laws were amended to include Equatorial Guinea. The Zimbabwean government then declared they would extradite the men to Equatorial Guinea, and not only after they had had a fair trial.
Fourteen men, among them eight South Africans, are being held on similar charges in Equatorial Guinea. The Independent reported that Zimbabwe needed about US$40m worth of fuel a month to meet the country's needs. Zimbabwe has had sporadic fuel shortages since 1999, and these have increased drastically since the country's economic decline.

[Rhodie]

Absolutely Bloody Incredible....!!!!!!

:mad:

Mad Bob has gone too far - he has already 'sold' (given away) half of Zim to Gadaffi in exchange for oil. This even includes part ownership in the Kariba Hydro Electric station - and now he is selling blood for oil from yet another dictator.

Why - please tell me - does the rest of the world do nothing..?

[doubleu-anker]

Same reason they did nothing in 1980.

Now if Rhodesia had oil or evidence of WMD, well things would have been different I am sure.

[B Sousa]

I agree with DoubleU. That and its Skin sensitive for Whitey to do anything. He might offend someone

[contraxdog]

I was once told in Cameroon during a discussion with some well educated African gentlemen, that the problem with Africa is that we dont have presidents, but a new generation of kings. A generation of kings that were the Liberation Fighters of the past, that hasnt got the breeding, blood or bearing to be a king.
Be that as it may.
I heard confidentially that Mad Dog has a nasty desease, one that he share with that nasty little block head corporal, that caused all the trouble in WWII. The BIG Crocodile Bite.
Apparently it gets to the brain if not treated timeously, to make one as rabid as a dog with Rabies. One that the most humane cure would be to put it down before it passes the contagious desease around. Makes sence doesnt it!
I am starting to think that we might have another, running loose in the armpit of Africa. He was quite sick a couple of years ago, and from inside the palace the word was, it was the size of tennis balls,he seemed to get a bit better. Now it seems it made a comeback in the same form as Mad Dog
Little T, I hope you are not hoping to inherit the presidency from Daddy. You sounded like such a well educated well balanced young man when I met you in the Pizza Place in Malabo, such promise. Lets hope.
Mad Bob if you get this via your very efficient secret police, I hope your young wife kicks your tennis balls, and you feel it for as long as you still have them.

Captain, Sir, Mr Moderator, Sir, I am sorry for the tone of this post but if you have his personal e-mail adress I will send it to him myself.
Helpless fustration got the better of me.

I promise no animals, women, or small children were harmed during the writing of this post.

Thabo goes ".. nice bob, good bob....." thats something!

[doubleu-anker]

I can't prove it, or want to I hasten to add, but I think Bob has had all the tackle removed. Nothin' there to kick.:}

[4HolerPoler]

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."

[manamana]

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?

[4HolerPoler]

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.

[Rhodie]

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

[bladestrap]

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 :mad: horsesh:mad:. 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:mad: 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:mad: Africa, leave it to the Africans. Thank you, Thank you very much!

[manamana]

Well said Blade.
The "don't fu:mad: 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 :mad: 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.:suspect:

[B Sousa]

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 F:mad: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.

[4HolerPoler]

Lot's of heated language here - could we cool it a bit please.

4HP

[Deanw]

Time to bring this topic back to the top :sad:

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.

[Rhodie]

Thanks Dean...

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 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

[Deanw]

Couldn't believe it when I read it :oh: :sad:

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.

[Rhodie]

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

[B Sousa]

Personally the only way I see to support them is to go get them..Anything less is chatter........

[Check Revs]

Like your thinking Bert!

Check Revs:ok:

[manamana]

Anyone know where Gunss is?....
Bert's making sense.

[DualDriver]

I can most certainly agree with what you guys are saying. But who?!?!?!

manamana, he's far away, but oh so close.:hmm:

[Longdrop]

Probably not wise to post what many of us are thinking.

[Deanw]

I agree. It could be used as an excuse to keep the guys under stricter conditions.

[Rhodie]

Agree...

On ALL the above.

I'm in.


R

[manamana]

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?:confused:

[126,7]

The SA governmunt should get their A into gear and do the trade and get these poor okes home. Bob is obviously trying to delay the "transaction" for as long as he can for obvious reasons. The way the oil price is going now, he has allready made a 25% return on his "Investment" Bas:mad: rd

[Longdrop]

The rumor I heard, it was Equatorial Guinea and Zim negotiating a "fuel for blood¨ trade, not SA ! its all nasty stuff......very African, and could end tragically if something isnt done pretty soon :(

[manamana]

Ya Longdrop, I also heard that one. I would rather hope the rumour about SA is true than EG. Whatever it takes to get them out of Zim, and away from EG. They don't stand much chance in either place. Hopefully there is some substance to the SA rumour.

[Deanw]

Sorry manamana, but as 4HolerPoler posted on Pg 7 (14/5), the deals between Zim and EG :yuk:

[Rhodie]

They are still there....



R

[Rhodie]

Court to decide on alleged mercenaries' fate

June 08 2004 at 01:24PM



The Pretoria High Court is to deliver a ruling on Wednesday on whether 70 suspected mercenaries held in Zimbabwe on charges of plotting a coup in Equatorial Guinea should face trial in South Africa.

The families of the alleged soldiers of fortune are asking the court to force the South African government to seek the extradition of the 70 men or take measures to prevent them from being sent to Equatorial Guinea, where they could face the death penalty.

During three days of hearings in Pretoria in late May, lawyers for the families argued that the lives of the 70 men from South Africa, Namibia and Angola, who were all travelling on South African passports, are at stake.

"The lives of these men will be in the South African government's hands. Government has to act now in terms of our constitution and in respect of human rights," lawyer Francois Joubert said.

"These men need protection. We cannot think of any other way that they can seek the protection they need in their dire circumstances."

But the South African government contended that it should not be forced to take action in the case as it would set a precedent for all other nationals held abroad.

President Thabo Mbeki's government has also stated that it does not have strong enough evidence to seek their extradition from Zimbabwe where they are being held at the Chikurubi maximum security prison on the outskirts of Harare.

Justice Bernard Ngwepe is to hand down his ruling early on Wednesday, the lawyers said.

The 70 men were arrested on March 7 in Harare after taking off in a private plane from South Africa, allegedly en route to Equatorial Guinea to topple President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, the long-time leader of the oil-rich country.

The men deny the charges and maintain they were going to the Democratic Republic of Congo where they were to guard a diamond mine.

The group faces possible extradition to Equatorial Guinea, where they could be sentenced to death along with 15 other alleged mercenaries who have been arrested on similar charges in the capital, Malabo.

At their last court appearance in Harare on May 26, the 70 men were ordered held in custody until Thursday when a date for the trial could be set.

Obiang held talks with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on April 28 after which an official said that Mugabe had agreed to hand over the men for trial in Equatorial Guinea.

There has not, however, been any official statement from the Zimbabwe government about extraditing the 70 men.

South Africa has pledged to work for a fair trial for the mercenaries but underlined that it would not interfere in the legal process until judgment had been delivered. - Sapa-AFP

[B Sousa]

I am certainly not real knowledgable about South Africa and the things that go on behind the scene. From what I can gather with the changes in Government, that the new Government wants not much to do with these folks be they white or black. I think this is a loss for South Africa.
They are , for the most part South Africans and would still be in the South African military doing service for their country were it not for the politics.
Hopefully the SA Government will recognize this and bring these folks home. I think they could also use them to strengthen the SANDF if feelings could finally be put aside a bit.
Just my two cents.

[francois marais]

Zim 70 to be tried in Harare.
News 24 09.06/2004 09.50.

The Pretoria High Court has refused to order the State to seek the return of 70 South Africans held in Zimbabwe on suspicion of plotting a coup d'etat in E.G.

So it appears that Mbeki have decided to abandon his citizens. What a joke! The train of thought along this is clear. F:mad: them. Live by the sword, die by the sword. It is patently clear that the present South African Government have no interest in its people (white or black), are not interested in dispensing proper justice, and it calls itself a democracy? Beware people, beware! The dogs are now beginning to bark at the wrong color......

[The Claw]

The latest....



From AFP, 9 June

"South African court rejects bid to bring suspected mercenaries home


Pretoria - A South African court rejected a complaint from the families of 70 suspected mercenaries held in Zimbabwe demanding that President Thabo Mbeki's government take action to bring the men back to South Africa. Justice Bernard Ngoepe of the Pretoria high court dismissed the case, saying there was not enough evidence to force the South African government to seek the extradition of the 70 men, who are accused of plotting a coup in Equatorial Guinea. "The application is dismissed," said Ngoepe. The ruling meant that the 70 alleged soldiers of fortune will likely face trial in Zimbabwe, unless President Robert Mugabe's government hands them over to Equatorial Guinea. The families of the men had asked the court to force the South African government to bring the 70 men back home to face trial in South Africa or take measures to prevent them from being extradited to Equatorial Guinea, where they could face the death penalty. During three days of hearings in Pretoria in late May, lawyers for the families argued that the lives of the men from South Africa, Namibia and Angola, who were all travelling on South African passports, were at stake. But the judge disagreed with the families' contention that the South African government was not fulfilling its obligation to protect its nationals. "There is no evidence that the government is refusing to make the intervention requested by the applicants," he ruled. Ngoepe also found that the South African authorities had "the discretion to decide whether to prosecute or not" the suspected mercenaries and should not be forced by the courts to act."


:(

[Longdrop]

“There is no evidence that the government is refusing to make the intervention requested by the applicants “………….the question that has to be asked.....WHERE IS THE EVDENCE THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE THE INTERVENTION.

[Rhodie]

Below is an excerpt from a later news report:

Transvaal Judge President Bernard Ngoepe refused to order the State to seek the return of 70 South Africans held in Zimbabwe on suspicion of plotting a coup d'etat in Equatorial Guinea.

He said the South African authorities did not have adequate evidence to prosecute the men at home for mercenary activities.

The highlighted comment refers back to what has previously been discussed.

IF - the SA government did not have the 'evidence' then why and what 'crime' did they inform the Zimbabwe authorities of...?

This is sickening.

I do not make the following comment lightly, and also against my better judgement - but - I have a fairly substantial amount of money in Zimbabwe. If anyone knows of a GENUINE need of assistance by some family members there, I can assist. I do NOT want to hear from any con artists or anyone not directly involved. If you wish to discuss, please PM me directly.

Rhodie.

[Longdrop]

Very kind of you Rhodie, I hope you get it back ten fold.:ok:

[Gunship]

You are a star Rhodie ! :ok:

The account details are as follows (Trust Account of Attorney's A. Griebenow Inc )


Bank : ABSA Bank
Branch Code: 632 005
Name : A.Griebenow Inc.
Trust acc #: 405 189 3559
Ref : LSR
Swift Code : ABSAZAJJ

{EDITED} If needed the address for the bank branch is:

Trust Bank Centre
Hoof Street, No. 5
Port Elizabeth
South Africa
3500


No promises for repay can be made - but they ask to keep your slips please with your initials after the REF # and a three figure "pin" of you choice (optional).

Believe me the families needs all it can get !

Thanks in advance on their behalf.

God Bless you and others prepared to assist.

Gunsss

[Solid Rust Twotter]

Confirm this is the same bunch of #%*&@@ who couldn't do enough for, and fell over themselves to get their crony McBride out of a Moz prison for gun running?

Verily, the mind doth boggle........:mad:


(Edited to tone down description of SA Govt)

[clipboard]

Mmmmm, bad news! I am of the opinion (my opinion only) that this court case has not been a good thing for the boys up there. With the judge rejecting the application, Mbeki, his government, Bob and his government, can now say that the course of justice was followed, that there is a high court order, so now no-one can interfere and say that justice was not followed. This gives Bob "carte blanche" to do whatever he wishes. Execute them, send them to EG, whatever! Its now cut & dry. Anyone who criticizes Mbeki or Bob on this subject again, will simply be referred to the High Court verdict. Its sickening!

It is patently clear that this is a severe case of "african justice". The law clearly states that no person is guilty until proven guilty. These guys are suspected of a crime, and to date it has not yet been proven that they have indeed committed a crime. Everyone is also entitled to an expeditious trial. Why are these men not being tried? Are they going to be left to rot in hell until dooms day? Where are the Human Rights Organisations, Red Cross and all the other UN organisations now?

Mbeki promised George Dubya at the G8 summit last year that he would have Zimbabwe sorted within 12 months. What has he done to date? Zip, absolutely zip! Twelve months passed and nothing was done to curb or control the utter madness of this dictator. Brotherhood my man, brotherhood!

All I can say is that this whole thing rots!

[The Claw]

I think that you will find that Rhodie can only use that money in Zimbabwe, so I'm not so sure that ABSA would work? Even then, with no "cash" money available in Zimbabwe, one still has a problem. If you have a solution, let me know, since I also have money tied up in Zim.

In the meantime Mugabe is spending 200m Z$'s on defence!? First six fighter aircraft due to arrive real soon.

:yuk:

[Gunship]

Clipboard : Very justified worries you raised there !

The Claw : You are right mate. I have requested the families to send me a Zim account as well, which they should have as they have Zim lawyers representing the guys.

Cheers,

Gunssss

[Rhodie]

Evening' All

Clip, Claw and Gunss - you are correct in that the money is in Zim dollars and in a Zim account. I can do sweet b#gger all with it here, as I cannot get it out. It will, however, pay for a serious bash at Caribbea Bay, for all of us for a month or two, or can be put to good use for the guys there.

I will wait to hear from you Gunss.

Longdrop - thanks for the kind words. As I said, I thought long and hard before making the post, but in the end, a positive result is just reward.

I just wish I could understand WHY the rest of the world does and says nothing.

Cheers

Rhodie

Sit Nomine Digna

[Deanw]

I'd laugh if it wasn't so tragic :{

------------------------------
Zim 70 magistrate 'held'
News24: 10/06/2004

Kodzevu Sithole

Harare - The magistrate who has to decide the fate of the 70 alleged mercenaries being held in Zimbabwe got a taste on Thursday of the unpredictable nature of the country's security forces.

He was "held" for a while by prison personnel when he and two state prosecutors arrived at the maximum-security prison.

Witnesses report that magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe and the two state prosecutors, Lawrence Phiri and Stephen Musona, were searched before they entered Chikurubi Prison, and their entry was then obstructed "on higher orders".

Court proceedings were delayed by three hours.

During the hearing, it was determined the state had until June 24 to set a date for the trial.

Guvamombe said this was the last time he would postpone the case.

Several questions arise after 'incident'

The men, who are charged with planning a coup in Equatorial Guinea, were arrested on March 7 and have been held in Harare since then.

An attempt in Pretoria High Court to have the men extradited to South Africa and have the hearing take place there failed this week.

The incident with Guvamombe at court on Thursday spurred several questions, although he is seen as being well disposed towards the Zimbabwean government.

Judges and magistrates often have been threatened in the past or withdrawn from cases if the government felt they didn't have the state's best interests at heart.

Jonathan Samkange, the men's legal representative, said the men's families would be able to visit them on Friday.

[Deanw]

Cape Times: 11 June 2004

http://www.sapfa.org.za/avcom_image/_0611134435_001.jpg

[The Claw]

Just had South African Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on BBC's "Breakfast with Frost."

What a piece of work she is,

"SA won't impose sanctions because neither the farmers or the MDC have asked for them."

"The Zimbabwe people will have their say at the next elections"........yeh right :yuk: :yuk:

[Deanw]

SA could still charge alleged mercenaries

IOL: June 15 2004

By Angela Quintal

South Africa's alleged mercenaries, who could face trial in Zimbabwe or Equatorial Guinea for an alleged coup plot, have not yet escaped prosecution at home for contravening domestic law.

So says Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla, who has also distanced the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) from a statement reportedly made by one of its deputy directors, Jan Henning, that the suspected mercenaries would not receive a fair trial in Equatorial Guinea.

She was replying in writing to a question from Democratic Alliance MP Douglas Gibson about what criteria were used to allow South African citizens to stand trial in the two countries and not under South Africa's own Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act.

Gibson also asked whether any consideration was given to the possibility that the group could be given the death penalty in both countries.

No criteria had been used as no decision had yet been taken by the NPA, Mabandla said.

"The matter regarding the activities of the mercenaries in South Africa is also still under investigation by the National Director of Public Prosecutions," she said.

On Henning's reported comment, she said that if such a view was expressed, "it may have been given in a personal capacity and does not reflect the view or policy of the NPA".

[Maun Baboon]

Having spent a night in the holding cells, in Vic Falls, I can't even begin to imagine what these guys must be going through.
The joys of living in Africa.
So much for George Bush and his war against terrorists.
P:mad: rick.

[B Sousa]

Maun Baboon writes:"So much for George Bush and his war against terrorists.
P rick."

Whoa good buddy. You guys gave the place away and now its GWBs fault?? I Don theeenk so.

[Longdrop]

Maun Baboon, bit harsh bro. It might not be long that even SA follows the rest of Southern Africa and has a hand out looking for foreign aid from the States and the like. I doubt that if I where American, I would give a stuff about what goes on down here….the headache Southern Africa is going to cause, just isn’t gona be worth the bit of oil or minerals they might get their hands on.

[The Claw]

I think US sanctions had a lot more to do with it, than "us" giving it away??????? If Bush practised what he preaches, then he should have done something about Zimbabwe. Now if only Zimbabwe had oil............

[currawong]

Like in the Balkans, Somalia, Haiti, Grenada and Panama?

Have not seen too many Afgan oil sheiks either.

[The Claw]

Thanks for the geography lesson, but you miss the point. If anything, your list proves my point :E

[B Sousa]

Now back in SA suffering Jet lag. I can say a word or two. YES Im sure a lot of what the U.S. does has to do with OIL. OK, so what. A lot of what SA does, and most folks dont know, has to do with Diamonds. So what.
U.S. Sanctions. Yes they were there, but if memory serves me, the real South Africans got their stuff together and were doing admirably on their own. I take my hat of to them. U.S. sanctions being a problem only says to me that someone was dependant on the U.S., Dont be,I live there and things change daily.

[The Claw]

I was actually refering to Rhodesia. Maybe SA does things for diamonds, but SA has not proclaimed itself as the worlds policeman. No country can last indefinitely when faced with economic sanctions. America(and others) saw fit to follow the "morale" high ground in Rhodesia by imposing sanctions. Now the country is a mess partly due to what the outside world imposed on them, and yet the silence is deafening! The reason being that Zimbabwe is not part of America's global web of economic and political relationships. It has nothing to do with Bush's BS about "fighting the worlds tyrants". What matters is the apportionment of political power in the States. It suited them to get involved before, because of Rev Jesse Jackson and the "black" vote in the USA. Now they are equally happy for him to be silenced by the mess in Africa. Rhodesia stood by the Western Powers during there time of need, but in the end they where betrayed in the worst manner. :(

[B Sousa]

Claw, I have to agree on one thing. The Political Correctness in the U.S. sucks....Its gone way over the limit.

[The Claw]

One knows that the world has lost the plot, when it is deemed acceptable for a white person, born and bred in Zimbabwe to be told that he does not belong there and should return England.(Irrespective of whether he is of Dutch or Portuguese ancestry.)

Yet, just try to tell a black person born and bred in Liverpool, that he should return to Africa were he belonged !? You would either be seen as being totally mad or arrested for racism !? :confused:


Anyway we stray from the topic............but at least we are keeping it at the top! :rolleyes:

[B Sousa]

Claw, you have it right on....... However this site is becoming similar to Zimbabwe. If you dont post what they want to hear your risk the censors button.......
I was slammed recently for posting a site and was told by the Mod that basically Iraq has FA to do with Africa. I see now a thread on Iraq. Maybe it does not fit the agenda.
Anyway, I saw those guys in Zim on the tube today. They dont look to good. Sure would like to see the "real ' folks behind there contract have a sit down with Uncle Bob and see how much he wants to make this go away. Im sure in the end it will all be about money. The greedy :mad:

[The Claw]

Seems that Jetdriver is on the "trigger" :} :}

Heard from the Harare3, they seem to think that SA is working on a prisoner transfer treaty. I really hope that this is true, but as they say, "Hope is a killer in this place!"

[B Sousa]

Claw. Right as rain. Maybe I should submit my postings direct to the Mods and see what comes out the other end. I thought I put a censor logo in the word leaving only the first and last letter. Hope Im right, anyway I see even the two letters are gone. Guess maybe you could have figured out what I said from that. if your mind is in the gutter.........ha ha

[Jetdriver]

To save you any further hand wringing, the only edit made was to the expletive. Using the censored symbol is fine but by putting letters either side rather negates the purpose. Sometimes it gets overlooked and sometimes it doesn't. When it is overlooked then more often than not it simply results in an invitation to mutual name calling which either causes more unnecessary edits, the closure of a topic or occaisionally more restrictive action.

Given the intellect on the forum generally and the high levels of wit and wisdom, it is interesting to note that the use of expletives is fairly minimal. I appreciate that there are occaisions when only a good anglo saxon curse may seem appropriate, however the use of asterisks or the censored symbol should suffice without further embelishment.

[Deanw]

From News24

Ngoepe slammed for 'mistakes'
23/06/2004 08:10 - (SA)

Pretoria - Judge-president Bernard Ngoepe made no less than 22 legal, factual and evidence-related mistakes in the ruling in which he denied the application of 70 South Africans being held in Zimbabwe, against the government.

Court documents in which the 70 are applying to the Constitutional Court for permission to appeal against Ngoepe's ruling, mention the mistakes.

The men are being held on suspicion that they are mercenaries who were on their way to Equatorial Guinea where they planned to overthrow the government of President Obiang Ngueso in a military coup.

They want the South African government to intervene to prevent their extradition to Equatorial Guinea on the grounds that they would not receive a fair trial in a foreign county.

Ngoepe was accused of, among other things, not giving enough weight to the supremacy of the constitution. He was also criticised for finding that the constitution was not applicable across the country's borders.

He said there was not enough evidence that the men would in fact not receive a fair trial in Zimbabwe or Equatorial Guinea ("despite eight reports to the contrary").

He also said they had given up their constitutional rights to dignity, life, freedom and security when they crossed the border.

Alwyn Griebenow, the men's lawyer, said in a sworn statement accompanying the documents that Ngoepe had "overwhelming evidence" available that showed that they would not receive a fair trial in Zimbabwe or Equatorial Guinea.

He said: "The 70 men's constitutional right to life is under threat."

The government - including the ministers of justice, safety and security, intelligence, home affairs and foreign affairs, as well as the national prosecuting authority have to react to the documents before Chief Justice Arthur Chaskalson will decide whether to allow the appeal.

[Deanw]

Zim 70 get July trial date
23/06/2004 11:36 - (SA)

Harare - Seventy suspected mercenaries arrested in Zimbabwe for allegedly plotting a coup in Equatorial Guinea will go on trial as of July 19, a magistrate announced on Wednesday.

"You come back to court on the 19th of July at nine in the morning for trial," said magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe.

The men were arrested at Harare International Airport more than two months ago when they allegedly landed to refuel and pick up military equipment.

Authorities believed they were on their way to join 15 suspected mercenaries - including eight South Africans - arrested in Equatorial Guinea for allegedly plotting to overthrow the west African country's leader, Teodoro Obiang Nguema.

The men claimed they were on their way to the Democratic Republic of Congo to perform mine security duties.

[Deanw]

May have been off the page, but not forgotten ...

------------------------------------
ConCourt 'special' for Zim 70

News24: 30/06/2004

Johannesburg - Chief Justice Arthur Chaskalson ordered a special sitting of the Constitutional Court on July 19 to hear the application of the 70 men being held in Zimbabwe as suspected mercenaries.

In the application for leave to appeal, the 70 men, who are being held on charges of planning a coup in Equatorial Guinea, are asking the South African government to intervene and have them return to the Republic.

A similar application to Pretoria High Court has been denied.

Judge Chaskalson's decision to convene the 11 judges of his court in the middle the recess was widely welcomed on Wednesday.

The attorney representing the 70, Alwyn Griebenow of Port Elizabeth, said, "I am in the clouds.

"I can assure everybody that we, as the legal team of these 70 men, will grab this opportunity with both hands because we are convinced that the men won't get a fair trial in Zimbabwe or Equatorial Guinea.

Ministers file affidavits against hearing

"Fair and reasonable trials are the cornerstone of our Human Rights Charter's stipulations about court battles.

"Seen in the light of how my clients are treated in Zimbabwe and the fact that the other seven men in Equatorial Guinea have not even seen a court yet after four months, it's beyond me how anybody can argue that fair trials await the men."

Chaskalson's decision comes despite a strong plea in affidavits on behalf of the ministers of justice, safety and security, intelligence, home affairs, foreign affairs, the president and the national prosecuting authority that the 70's application to appeal should not be heard in the Constitutional Court.

Theresia Bezuidenhout, director of law enforcement in the justice department, said in a sworn statement: "Even if the issue the 70 men have brought up is of a constitutional nature, it's not important enough to demand the Constitutional Court's immediate and direct attention," .

Chaskalson has ordered the 70 men to submit their written appeal by July 7 and the ministers by July 13. Verbal appeal will be heard on July 19 and, if necessary, on July 20.

[Jelly Doughnut]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3912051.stm

Harare 'mercenaries' plead guilty


The men have been held since March
Almost all the 70 mercenaries accused of plotting to overthrow the government of Equatorial Guinea have pleaded guilty in a Zimbabwe court.
The 67 South Africans admitted the lesser charges of breaking immigration and aviation laws at their much delayed trial in the capital, Harare.

All 70 are expected to face further security charges on Wednesday.

Their plane was impounded in March, when they picked up weapons bought from the Zimbabwe state arms supplier.

Three men, including former British SAS captain Simon Mann, the alleged leader of the group, did not face the immigration charges because they were already in Zimbabwe when the plane landed.

The start of the trial was twice delayed while the defendants reviewed the charges with their legal advisors.

Defence lawyer Jonathan Samkange said all 70 would plead not guilty to more serious charges of breaching security on Wednesday.

The group said they were going to the Democratic Republic of Congo to provide security for mining operations.

But the governments of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea believe they were heading to the small, oil-rich country to overthrow the government.

Razor wire

The BBC's Alastair Leithead in Johannesburg says there is much confusion surrounding the alleged coup plot and how the men came to be arrested.




E Guinea: Ripe for coup
Who are the detained men?
This is the first time they have faced formal charges, even if they are relatively minor compared to the gravity of the accusations, our correspondent says.


The trial is being held in a building inside a high-security prison surrounded by high concrete walls and razor wire.


The men, who have been held for four-and-a-half months with restricted access to lawyers and relatives, have complained about prison conditions.

Following their arrest in March, they had claimed they were tortured by Zimbabwean security agents.

The Zimbabwean government recently signed an extradition deal with Equatorial Guinea, where other South Africans are being held on suspicion of being the advanced party in the alleged plot.

The group's lawyers have appealed to the South African government to extradite them there instead, so they would not face a possible death penalty.

But South African state lawyers have opposed this legal request and the constitutional court is to deliver its decision.

[Cardinal Puff]

...Yet our beloved govt is making plans to bring drug mules in prison in SADC countries to SA to serve their sentences here.

Once again they show absolutely no regard for anyone except their criminal buddies. McBride a case in point.... - they couldn't do enough to get him out of Moz on gunrunning charges before hushing the thing up. Where there's smoke......

[Cardinal Puff]

Got the @rse end of a news broadcast this evening saying something about charges being dropped. Anyone have the gen? I believe they may have to wait until the 18th August to hear something.

These postponements are just playing for time to make their stay there as long and as uncomfortable as possible.

Heard some lawyer saying something about McBride and the two Al Qaeda suspects in Pakistan receiving help from govt and some being more equal than others. About time the world saw this crowd (ANC) for what they are.....

[Deanw]

I also caught the tale-end of the news, but apparently the three crew members have had the charges relating to the attemp to purchase weapons dropped.

That is good news indeed :ok:

[The Claw]

The court case has been adjourned until 18 Aug with promises that the case will be "wrapped up" in that month. The flight crew have had the firearm and security charges dropped. Things "appear" to be looking better, but............

Lets keep fingers crossed !

[George Tower]

Interesting how these two SA people that have been arrested on charges of terrorism in Pakistan have had the full weaight of the SA government machine behind them, whilst these guys in Zim have been thrown to the dogs.:yuk:

[B Sousa]

George
All I can say is what do you expect from this current Government.......
As to the boys in Pakistan, Im sure you will start to see some of his friends huffing and puffing in SA. Maybe even a bit more extreme. Someday folks will learn that "these folks"<< take that for what it means, dont like anyone who is not one of them....Period.
Be they in SA, Pakistan, Iraq or Downtown Los Angeles....
Its a matter of us and them, not turn the other cheek.
My theory of dealing with the problem is not something the Mods like to see posted.....

[Jelly Doughnut]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3596948.stm


Boboon will love this..... :yuk:

The son of the former UK prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, Mark, has been arrested at his home in Cape Town. He has been detained by police investigating an alleged coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea.

A spokesman for South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority said he was held on suspicion of providing funding and logistical assistance.

Sir Mark, who has previously denied any involvement, will appear before Cape Town magistrates later on Wednesday.

Sipho Ngwema, the director of special operations for police elite anti-fraud unit the Scorpions, said they had "credible evidence" Sir Mark financed the coup attempt.

"We are going to take all the documents we think are relevant to our investigation " ... Scorpions director of special operations Sipho Ngwema

"We refuse that South Africa be a springboard for coups in Africa and elsewhere," he added.

The 51-year-old father-of-two was arrested at his home in an exclusive suburb of Cape Town.

Mr Ngwema told BBC News Sir Mark was co-operating with the police, and their search was proceeding "unhindered".

"We are going to take all the documents we think are relevant to our investigation," he added.

The president of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, has reportedly accused Sir Mark of funding the alleged coup attempt.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Makahosini Nkosi said it was investigating charges of contravening the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act.

"I do not think we will be opposing bail - but there will be strict bail conditions that will prohibit him from leaving the country" ... National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Makahosini Nkosi

"This is in relation to the possible funding and logistical assistance in relation to the attempted coup in Equatorial Guinea, " he said.

"We have conducted a search and seizure operation at his home in Cape Town."

Mr Nkosi told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I do not think we will be opposing bail - but there will be strict bail conditions that will prohibit him from leaving the country."

A spokeswoman for Baroness Thatcher said the former prime minister was on holiday in America and had not yet been contacted.

Court case

South African arms dealer Nick du Toit is accused of helping to organise a coup to overthrow the Equatorial Guinea president.

Mr du Toit went on trial with 13 other foreign nationals on Monday in the country's capital, Malabo.

The eight South Africans and six Armenians have been detained since March this year.

A 15th defendant died in prison. Both Amnesty International and Mr du Toit's wife allege the accused were tortured.

Seventy other accused mercenaries are on trial separately in Zimbabwe, where they were arrested on 6 March as they allegedly prepared to board a leased aircraft to launch the coup.

"There has always been an aura of uncertainty about how Sir Mark made his money" ... The Guardian newspaper's political editor Michael White

The alleged plot leader, former British SAS captain Simon Mann, an old Etonian turned leading African mercenary, has admitted trying to procure dangerous weapons - a charge which carries a possible 10-year jail sentence.

[bladestrap]

Yip, this is something else. The men involved were arrested in March, the boys have been on trial in EG for a few days already, and now all of a sudden, 7 month later, they accuse poor Mark of funding the coup. How bizarre.

We all know Mark from the aviation circles here in Cape Town, as he keeps an airplane here, and all I can say is hang in there Mark!

:ok:

[George Tower]

I'm sure that this will run and run but in a country where there is both rife political corruption and every day crime why does the government waste valuable finite resources worrying about whether some despotic government in Equitorial Guinea might be the subject of a coup. Pity those poor people in jail in Zim and Equitorial Guinea as I don't think SA will lift a finger to help them. But as for the SA citizens considered Al Qaeda suspects......well just watch the SA Government run a mile to help them:yuk:

[V1 Rotate]

Trouble is..........both Mbeki and his buddy Mugabe seem to attach a very high priority to keeping their dictatorial pals in power.

V1:( :(

[Cardinal Puff]

Wonder what became of the frothing masses who stood up for human rights outside South Africa House. Nothing but deathly silence...........

[B Sousa]

This whole mess keeps getting bigger. The latest arrest by Sipho and the Boys just adds to it. I find it hard to believe that those involved were that stupid when it came to a "Covert" operation. What ever happened to secrecy?? Im betting there is a paper trail and phone tolls a mile long that gives up the whole story.. Plus all the egos of "dont tell anyone about this." Sometime folks are gonna have to learn that three men keep a secret when two are dead. Further as mentioned recently by Tom Clancy. "If your gonna kick a Tiger in the Balls, you had better make a plan to deal with its Teeth."
Does not look good...........

[Solid Rust Twotter]

Interesting snippet on the avcom forum regarding the whole affair being a sting operation and the convoluted dealings to protect Zimboon ministers who were involved in arms trading.

[clipboard]

Bert, does'nt matter how "covert" this operation has been. Whether not or whether! The fact of the matter is that Africa is Africa, and there are no more colonialism in Africa. The new African Elitists or rather Royalty, as Mbeki, Bob and Obiang have proclaimed themselves to be, is now firmly in control of Africa. Whites are no longer welcome. Africa is for the Africans, and the history of Africa teaches us "dictatorships, bankruptcy and coup de tat's" :}

[Dogma]

I see that the rather foolish Simon Mann is guilty and looking at 10 years at the "Harare Hilton".

The rest of them are being thrown out of Zimbabwe.

[George Tower]

Just heard now on the BBC News that Equitorial Guinea is seeking the extradition of Mark Thatcher.

Now as far as I'm aware I believe that would be unconstitutional - just as we in the UK cannot extradite anyone to face charges in a country where they could potentially face the death penalty.

Now is the time for the SA Government to scotch any rumours regarding double standards - tell EG to get lost.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3605346.stm

Former British SAS officer Simon Mann has been found guilty of attempting to buy arms for an alleged coup plot in Equatorial Guinea.
The other 66 suspected mercenaries arrested with Mann in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, in March were acquitted.

Mann had pleaded guilty to trying to procure dangerous weapons.

But he denied a second charge of purchasing the weapons, insisting that the deal never went through.

He said the weapons were to guard a diamond mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe said prosecutors failed to prove their case against 64 men arrested when their plane landed at Harare International Airport on 7 March and two others already in Zimbabwe at the time.

The 64 men aboard the plane and three crew members have pleaded guilty to immigration and aviation violations carrying a maximum penalty of two years in jail and a fine.

The two others not aboard the plane are due to be freed.

The magistrate said he would begin handing down sentences on 10 September.

Extradition sought

The government of Equatorial Guinea is meanwhile seeking the extradition from South Africa of Sir Mark Thatcher, son of former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

He is currently is on bail, facing charges of involvement in financing the coup plot - charges which he denies.

Lucie Bourthoumieu, a lawyer for the government of Equatorial Guinea, which still imposes the death penalty for serious crimes, said the country had "strong hopes" of Mr Thatcher being extradited.

"South Africa is co-operating, and they are willing to fight furiously against all mercenaryism and terrorism," said the lawyer.

The South African government says it has not yet received an extradition request.

Fourteen suspected foreign mercenaries are on trial in the capital, Malabo, for the alleged coup plot.

Edited out some language out of line with forum limits.

4HP

[B Sousa]

Clipboard writes " Africa is for the Africans, and the history of Africa teaches us "dictatorships, bankruptcy and coup de tat's" "

Understand all that, what I was trying to get across was that the folks who were involved (whether yes or no) may have been in the game before. IF in fact yadayadayada that this was some kind of mission.......it certainly smacks of numerous loose cannons rather than something one would risk their neck over.
In other words there are rules(to assure success) to follow when planning something of this nature. At anytime a rule is broken, the plan is aborted. Seems as though that did not happen. You may understand it as the 5 P's.............

Good Luck to MT and the rest, my thoughts are with them..

[V1 Rotate]

While the focus is on other things Mugs and his Ters are up to their old tricks!


Zimbabwe police have arrested six white commercial farmers in the northern tobacco growing district of Karoi, about 260km north of Harare.

Police said the farmers had defied government orders to leave their farms with immediate effect.

"Most of these farmers own more than one farm and they have been asked to surrender the other farms and remain with only one," said a police statement.

Meanwhile the country's Commercial Farmers' Union (CFU), which represents most white farmers, said it did not know if its members had been arrested.

"All I know is that one of them, Jan Kageler, was barricaded into his home twice last week by war veterans," said CFU regional director Ben Kaschula.

"He has an expired order to leave his farm, but now has permission to farm 250ha and surrender the rest," Kaschula added.

The CFU said attacks against the few remaining white farmers in the district had been co-ordinated by one self-styled war veteran, despite orders from senior government officials to allow the farmers to continue farming.

[planecrazi]

Just found this, on the net this morning. Maybe a sign of things to come for the rest of the guys.

Mercenaries' to face Scorpions
28/08/2004 21:32__-_(SA)__
Johannesburg - Two of the alleged 70 mercenaries detained in Zimbabwe recounted the abuse suffered at the hands of the Zimbabwean authorities upon their arrival at Johannesburg International on Saturday.

Harry Carelse and Jacobus Horn were freed on Friday and released from Harare's Chikurubi maximum security prison after having been acquitted by a Zimbabwean magistrate of charges of "conspiracy to possess dangerous weapons".

However, they will present themselves to the Scorpions on Monday as they could be charged in South Africa under laws preventing citizens from being involved in mercenary activities.

The two were part of a group of 70 alleged mercenaries arrested on March 7 at Harare International Airport.

Their plane had allegedly stopped off in Harare to purchase weapons to be used in an alleged coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea.

Carelse and Horn arrived with their lawyer on a scheduled South African Airways flight from Harare.

They received a jubulant reception from friends and family and were mobbed by reporters and photographers.

Looking tired and worn out but clean, Carelse told reporters that he had lost 14kg in Chikuribi prison under conditions he described as "terrible" where overcrowding and disease were rife, nutrition and access to medical care "non-existent".

Zim justice system 'sucks'

He also told of how he had been stripped naked and interrogated, beaten and forced to sleep in handcuffs and leg irons.

"The justice system in Zim sucks," said the security consultant from Randburg, adding that they were given no access to legal representation during the first three weeks after their arrest.

Horn said how they had been forced, under threat of electric shock treatment, to make statements to police.

Their lawyer, Alwyn Griebenow said that the two men still had criminal charges pending in South Africa.

"We've been in contact with the Scorpions for the past four months and there is a case we will have to answer to," he said, adding that they would present themselves at the Scorpion's office on Monday.

Simon Mann

Asked about the fate of the alleged coup leader Simon Mann, found guilty in Zimbabwe on charges of attempting to illegally buy arms, Griebenow said that "he will be lucky if he gets two to four year's prison".

Scorpions spokesperson Makhosini Nkosi on Saturday declined to comment on the matter.

As for the rest of the men, Griebenow said that they had all been convicted of charges relating to violation of immigration laws and would be sentenced on September 10.

Asked how the remainder of the prisoners back in Harare were feeling now that the two of them had been released, Carelse commented: "They were overjoyed that some of us are out because they see it as a sign that they will soon be released too."News24.co.za (http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_1580156,00.html)

[Gunship]

Gents, this is the good news we have all been waiting for ... the release of our brothers ...

All they ever wanted is a fair trial in their own country ... that is all.

Good wishes gents our prayers are with you.

Da Gunsss (snr) :D

[Dogma]

A fair trial in South Africa?

You guys have not woken up to the fact that The Rainbow Nation Bull :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad: is a smoke screen.

Those guys "running" S.A have no concept of developing South Africa’s poor, or creating a nation for all. They just want to line pocket and get fat at the expense of all, ala Zimbabwe.

[Gunship]

Dog... whatever your anti - South African comment ...

All I said was : "All they ever wanted is a fair trial in their own country .."

And believe me that is ALL they ever wanted.

[Gunship]

Alleged mercenaries Harry Carlse and Lourens Horn have been charged for contravening the Foreign Military Assistance Act.

"They have been charged by the Scorpions. They will receive summonses to appear in court sometime next week," their lawyer Alwyn Griebenow told Sapa on Monday.

Griebenow and his clients spent Monday morning in a meeting the Scorpions' legal team in Pretoria.

"My clients are happy with the outcome of this morning's meeting," he said.

Carlse and Horn arrived home from Zimbabwe on Saturday after a Harare court acquitted them on weapons charges on Friday.

They spent six months at Chikurubi prison with 70 other alleged mercenaries arrested on March 7 at Harare International Airport.

The group had allegedly stopped off in Harare to purchase weapons to be used in an alleged coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea.

Zimbabwean prosecutors said Carlse and Horn were hired to inspect a consignment of weapons intended to be used in an alleged plot to overthrow the government of Equatorial Guinea. They maintained the weapons were for a security job at a mining operation in war-torn eastern Congo.

Former British Special Forces operative and alleged coup leader Simon Mann was convicted of trying to buy weapons from Zimbabwe's state arms manufacturer and faces up to 10 years in prison.

Edited by Tisha Steyn

[George Tower]

Firstly no matter what your view of the South African justice system I think anyone would rather face trial in SA than Zimbabwe or Equitorial Guinea. However it does seem rather absurd that the Scorpions are charging two people that have been released by the Zimbabwean authorities:confused:

I'm sure the Scorpions would be better served fighting global terrorism - as in investigating what Al Qaeda links there are to SA (seems there are some with these chaps arrested by the Pakistan authorities) than worrying about some alleged coup in a far flung corner of Africa that wont affect any SA citizens.

[Solid Rust Twotter]

There has been mention of some political maneouvring behind the scenes to keep the Zimboon ministers who were involved in the sale out of the spotlight. Apparently this is why things took so long......


Somewhere on avcom, I think.

[clipboard]

I've been following the saga on the news and in the media with interest, and with regards to Mark T, it is clear that the Scorpions and the media have already found this man guilty. They have conducted a huge assassination on his character. What has happened to the so called "Innocent until PROVEN guilty"?

Not even Deputy President ZUMA received publicity such as this during his brush with the Scorpions and Bulelani Ngcuka. But then again, ZUMA is a member of the ruling party and the deputy president. He's got the right credentials to be above the law.

What further amazes me, is how this saga is now unfolding. Crause Steyl, was up until last Friday, a "dog of war". He believed in his cause, was happy to take Thatchers money and squander it on whatever he saw fit, and the moment the heat was turned on a bit too much, "He bacame a state witness". What a coward! A man with no balls.

I find it really amazing that the SA Government is spending so much money, time and energy to fight this mercenary thing. To date, it has cost the tax payer millions. Why don't they forget about assisting the EG Despot, leave him to run his own country, and focus their energy on making SA a safer and better place, free of crime and AIDS.

Come on Thabo, get real for a change my man!

[prospector]

It has been reported in a number of news reports that the Scorpions were handed the information by the MI6, and also the CIA had prior knowledge of the planned event. Perhaps the reaction, or overreaction, is because all this was supposedly going on under their noses and had to be pointed out from an outside force.

Prospector

[Gunship]

My prayers are with you guys tonight.

I have high hopes of hearing fantastic news tomorrow ! :ok:

A Zimbabwe judge is to hand down sentences on Friday against the alleged mastermind of a coup plot in oil-rich Equatorial Guinea, Briton Simon Mann, and 67 other suspected mercenaries who were convicted two weeks ago.

Mann, a friend of Mark Thatcher who has been charged with bankrolling the alleged plot, faces up to 10 years in prison for attempting to illegally purchase weapons in Zimbabwe that the prosecution alleges were to be used in the coup.

The 67 other men, including the three-man crew that flew a plane from South Africa to Harare on March 7 to pick up the weapons, have been convicted of minor offences under Zimbabwe's immigration and aviation laws.

'I am not willing to speculate about the outcome'

The sentences will be the first to be handed down in connection with the alleged conspiracy to topple President Teodoro Obiang Nguema.

The affair has also drawn in 19 suspected mercenaries on trial in Malabo and a handful of influential British personalities that Malabo claims provided financial backing.

Thatcher, the son of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, was arrested on August 25 in Cape Town and has been called to testify about his alleged involvement before a South African judge later this month.

South African lawyer Alwyn Griebenow declined to comment on the possible fate awaiting Mann, founder of the now defunct mercenary outfit Executive Outcomes, who has been held in Chikurubi maximum security prison along with the other men.

"We expect the case to be finalised on Friday but I am not willing to speculate about the outcome," said Alwyn Griebenow.

Mann allegedly recruited the suspected mercenaries to topple Obiang, who has ruled Equatorial Guinea for 25 years, and to pave the way for the return from exile in Spain of opposition politician Severo Moto.

For breaching immigration laws, the group of 67 men could be locked up for a year and a half or get away with a ZIM$1,5-million (about R1 700) fine, while convictions under the aviation law carry a maximum jail sentence of one month or a fine of ZIM$200 (about 20 cents).

The prosecution has asked for jail terms of between one year and 18 months for the immigration offences.

Two other suspected mercenaries, Harry Carlse and Lourens Horn, who were acquitted in Zimbabwe returned to South Africa and last week turned themselves in to authorities who said they are considering formal charges against them under South Africa's anti-mercenary law.

The sentences in Harare will bring to a close a six-week trial during which the prosecution rejected the suspected mercenaries' claims that they were on their way to guard a diamond mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Citing information and equipment found on the plane as well as the weapons the men were to collect, the prosecution argued that the men were ready for a military operation rather than routine security services.

The 67 men are from several southern African countries but were all travelling on South African passports when they were arrested on March 7.

Zimbabwe has turned down a request by Equatorial Guinea to extradite Mann and his alleged accomplices to face trial in Malabo.

Mann's former partner in Executive Outcomes, South African Nick du Toit, is on trial in Equatorial Guinea, accused of leading an advance party for the group jailed in Harare.

Harare meantime has applied for the forfeiture of the Boeing 727 that flew into Harare to pick up the weapons, which included mortar bombs, rocket launchers and hand grenades.

[Deanw]

Simon Mann goes to jail
10/09/2004 13:31 - (SA)

Harare - Briton Simon Mann, the alleged mastermind behind a plot to stage a coup in oil-rich Equatorial Guinea, has been sentenced on Friday to seven years in jail by a Zimbabwe court.

Mann admitted trying to order assault rifles, grenades, anti-tank rocket launchers and other weapons from Zimbabwe Defence Industries.

A group of 65 other suspected mercenaries was sentenced to 12 months in jail while the two men who flew the plane to Harare in March to pick up weapons were given 16-month jail sentences.

Mann was convicted two weeks ago on charges of attempting to illegally purchase weapons that prosecutors argued were to be used to topple President Teodoro Obiang Nguema in Malabo.

"The accused was the author of the whole transaction. He was caught while trying to take the firearms out of the country," said Magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe as he handed down the sentence.

He said the offences "were well planned and well executed and that must be reflected in the penalty."

[Gunship]

:sad: A sad day .. the guys did no thave water to wash / flush the toilets for the past 2 weeks and they must stay another 12 / 16 months ... :sad:

[alexmcfire]

Gunship, doesn´t the time they been in jail count off the 12- and
16 months penalities?

[AfricanQueen]

Amazing - I never knew a 727 was operated by a two-man crew!

[Gunship]

Hi ALex,

I spoke to one of the girlfriends as he left court.

She said it wa sclear it ran from last Friday.

She mailed me in the mean time : They are liable for release after 8 months (can only presume good behaviour etc) ?

I should get more clarity Monday afternoon when she is back at work in the US.

Cheers

Gunsss

AfricanQueen : Do not know much but do you mean that they should have a F/E onboard as well ?

I have seen the Saffers flying with an engineer but in deeper Africa without ? :}

[The Claw]

Sad news, hope Mbeki is proud of himself!




"From The Star (SA), 6 October


Suspected mercenary dies in Zimbabwe jail


Harare - A South African man held in Zimbabwe over an alleged plot to overthrow the government in Equatorial Guinea has died. Ngave Jarukemo Muharukua (35), one of the 68 men held in a Zimbabwean jail, died yesterday in a Harare hospital, where he had been admitted last week, the state news agency reported. The cause of death was not revealed. "Ngave, a South African citizen, has died," New Ziana quoted an unnamed prison official as saying, without giving further details. A lawyer who has been representing the men could not confirm the death when contacted by reporters. The deceased was one of 70 men arrested at Harare's international airport in March when a plane they were travelling on stopped to pick up weapons from a state arms manufacturer. The men were last month sentenced to prison terms ranging from one to seven years for violating Zimbabwean immigration, firearms and aviation laws, and only two were acquitted. Sixty-seven of them, including the deceased, received prison terms of between 12 and 16 months for breaching immigration laws. German Eugen Nershz, one of the 15 foreigners arrested in Equatorial Guinea in connection with the coup attempt, died several days after his arrest, supposedly from complications arising from cerebral malaria. But Amnesty International said Nershz died "apparently as a result of torture". Meanwhile, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has suggested that the easiest way to deal with mercenaries in Africa is to shoot them. "Mercenaries, you just shoot them. This is a simple matter, it's not a big problem," he said yesterday in Harare, where he is on a state visit."

[Gunship]

The lawyer for eight South Africans implicated in a coup plot in oil-rich Equatorial Guinea died here on Tuesday of malaria, his family said.

Fernando Mico Nsue, who also suffered from diabetes and high blood pressure, died in Malabo at the age of 62, his eldest son, Alberto Nguema said.

"He had not been feeling well over the past few days. He was suffering from malaria and when he had a relapse this morning, we decided to take him to the hospital. He died while he was being driven to the hospital," the son added.

Mico Nsue had also defended some of the 100 Equatorial Guinean dissidents and former soldiers tried in 2002 for a threat to state security.

Meanwhile there was no official word on whether the trial of the 19 accused of involvement in the coup plot last March to oust President Teodoro Obiang Nguema would resume on October 18 as announced last week by the Malabo court's chief judge.

In addition to the South Africans, six Armenians and five Equato-Guineans, including a former deputy minister, went on trial in Malabo in August for allegedly trying to topple Obiang, who has ruled the small central African country since 1979.

The case was adjourned on August 31 at the request of the country's attorney general, Jose Olo Obono, to get "further information" following the arrest of Mark Thatcher in South Africa on August 25.

The son of the former British prime minister is suspected by Equatorial Guinea and South Africa of bankrolling the alleged plot.

[Captain Pheremone]

Hey guys...any news on the pilots/mates in prison. How they doing, family's????. Can I send them anything: books, magazines, food etc etc would they get through the wardens?????

If so who can I contact to get addresses.

Have not heard anything since the ridiculous court case sentencing.

Thanks

[Gunship]

Thanks for the kind thoughts Captain.

The twin brother of one of the prisoners sadly had to go to Iraq to fund his brother (and other's) court cases etc.

He was my contact - I wll mail him and ask what to do.

Cheers and many thanks - believe me they appreciate ANYTHING !

Cheers

Gunsss

[Kopeloi]

Gunnnss,
Try to get an address. Let´s do something for them together! At least we can show that outside world cares.
Nikolai:ok:

[lonkmu]

I would also like to send a parcel as I know some of the chaps.

[Gunship]

Thanks for the response guys.

Ok here are the details :

A Letter must be addressed as follows :

Full Name ............
CHIKURUBI MAXIMUM PRISON
PRIVATE BAG 7392
GREENDALE
HARARE
ZIMBABWE

ONLY English letters - Afrikaans goes to the bin.
NO politics
Nothing about your / their work.
NO addresses or other names mentioned please.

Reading Material - ONLY English and NO Politics Human Rights - War or Crime.

The guys are extremely malnorished and not well fed at all !

What you can send :

Biltong (vacuumpacked)
Dry Wors
Chocolate
Pro Nutro
Powder Milk
Sweets
Energy bars
Snacks (Pro Vita's / Marie Biscuits etc)
Packets of Soup
Dried Fruit

NO glass or tin cans!

Simple Medical Supplies like Ointments / Iodine / Cotton Swabs

Parcels can go (kindly) to the SA Embassy:

South African Embassy
PO BOX A 1654
AVONDALE
HARARE
ZIMBABWE
c/o Jacolize Bumm
Tel: + 263 4 753 147 / 52

I know the following and this is my request as I do not know everyone: I am sure you can send a "general" package as well to those that we do not know the names of ?

Raymond Archer
Simon Whiterspoon
Louis du Preez
Hendrik Hamman (Pilot)
Johan Steyl

I know where my Xmass presents will go to ... :sad:

[The Claw]

Many thanks for that Gunship,

I would just like to add that the prison officials are pretty good, all my parcels have got through.

Cigarettes can also be sent, and these are useful for bartering.

I would also suggest things like, dark coloured hand towels, grey socks, toothpaste in plastic tubes, toothbrushes, medicated soap and packets of instant soup prove quite popular. Also mineral and vitamen tablets.

[Captain Pheremone]

Thanx for the info Gunns. Not sure how you always have FOP but appreciate it. I return to RS of A next week Tue and will definately put something together for those I know.

Till then hocks to yre partner in crime and all his kids and I hope all is well. Always looking if you know anything!

Chow.

[Gunship]

Thanks for the support guys.

Another special request.

It is Louis du Preez's birthday the 19th of Novemember.

However small - pse send him something.

His (twin) bro will at least be with him on the 19th.

Cheers and many thanks again all :D

Gunss

[Gunship]

From IOLMalabo - Equatorial Guinea's state prosecutor demanded the death penalty on Thursday for a South African on trial in sub-Saharan Africa's third-biggest oil producer on charges of plotting to topple its president.

Summing up the case against 19 suspected mercenaries, state prosecutor Jose Olo Obono said the team was working for an international web of financiers seeking to put exiled politician Severo Moto in power.

Equatorial Guinea says the plot to oust President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo was organised by Simon Mann, a former British special forces officer who was jailed by Zimbabwe in August on charges related to the alleged coup.

Obono told the court he wanted the death penalty both for South African Nick du Toit, who was in court flanked by four armed guards with his hands and feet shackled, and for Moto, who lives in Spain and is being tried in absentia.

Fourteen people, including Mark Thatcher, the son of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, are listed in court documents read out by Obono as alleged financiers of the plot.

Thatcher is accused of stumping up $275 000 (about R1,6-million). Lebanese oil tycoon Eli Calil is alleged to have contributed $750 000 and a number of other British businessmen are included in the list handed out in the Malabo court.

Thatcher, however, has not been charged by Equatorial Guinea and the central African country has not yet decided whether to extradite him from South Africa, where he is on trial for his alleged role in the plot. He and Calil have denied any involvement.

Du Toit was the only man on trial in Equatorial Guinea to admit involvement in the alleged plot but he retracted his confession on Tuesday when the trial resumed after an 11-week break to let prosecutors gather more evidence.

The South African said he had been tortured and confessed only to save his life. But in his summing up, Obono rejected any allegations of mistreatment, saying all the prisoners' rights had been respected.

"Any statement to the contrary... is not admissible in this trial," he told the court.

Obono called for seven other South Africans on trial to be sentenced to 86 years each and for six Armenians to serve 26 years each. He dropped charges against three Equatorial Guineans but asked for terms of 62 and 42 years for two others.

Eight members of Moto's so-called government in exile in the Spanish capital, Madrid, also being tried in absentia, each faced terms of 102 years.

Defence lawyers for the South Africans, Moto and his exiled government, the Armenians and the Equatorial Guineans were due to make their pleas on Thursday afternoon.

[Gunship]

:sad: South African Nick du Toit has been sentenced by a court in Equatorial Guinea to 63 years in jail for playing a key role in a plot to oust President Teodoro Obiang Nguema. :sad:

[alexmcfire]

34 years I read on http://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/africa/11/26/eg.verdict.reut/index.html
and 3 South Africans freed, others got 17 years.
6 Armenians in prison as well, wonder if there´s a Lebanese connection there (many Armenians in Lebanon).

[Gunship]

Sorry mate - this was a News 24 "Breaking News Alert" that I copied.

I saw later that the sentence was "not as harsh" :rolleyes:

Absolute crazy ! :mad:

[Deanw]

News24:


Zim 64 set to appeal sentences
14/12/2004

Harare - A group of 64 alleged mercenaries being held in Harare's Chikurubi Prison could appeal their sentences to Zimbabwe's High Court this week, their lawyers said on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for a Harare legal firm, Byron Venturas, said the company was waiting for the return to Zimbabwe of lawyer Jonathan Samkange. He was out of the country.

"The matter is due to be heard in the Supreme Court this week, that's all I can say," the spokesperson said.

The 64 men, who were convicted on minor immigration and aviation laws for landing illegally in Zimbabwe, were allegedly en route to Equatorial Guinea to carry out a coup to oust President Teodoro Obiang Nguema.

All 64 denied any knowledge of the mission, claiming they were going to the Democratic Republic of Congo to guard mining operations.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for Byron Venturas said the alleged mercenaries thought their sentences were "too harsh" when the law provided for small fines for their offences.

British-born Simon Mann was convicted for illegally purchasing firearms and sentenced to seven years in prison.

There has been no word as to whether he will appeal his sentence.

[Jacobest]

Hi all. I just read this article in the Bussines Day and thought it was interesting
Thatcher tested copter
A claim that Mark Thatcher tested a helicopter with the
knowledge that it would be used in the coup plot in Equatorial
Guinea has emerged. "The allegations come from pilot Crause
Steyl, who pleaded guilty under a plea-bargain deal to his role in
the coup attempt in November 2004 under the Foreign Military
Assistance Act."
:ok:

[B Sousa]

Sounds Like BS to me. Im betting someone offered Mark a chance to log some time in a Helicopter, which 99% of all Pilots would jump on a chance like that..
"Crause Steyl" is probably trying to save his ass and would give up Nuclear Secrets to get off the hook.
Tell me Im wrong.......and why.

[Captain Pheremone]

Hi "B"

Maybe the wording of "Thatcher tested" should have read "Thatcher had a heli tested". Similar but not exactly the same meaning.

I do know of an Alo 3 with a hardened floor (get the message) which was tested for this event.

Anyway my good wishes are still with those behind bars. Can't be nice. Did send them a Christmas parcel - who knows if they received it?

Keep up the good posts.
Thanx

[Jacobest]

Here today is another interesting article.
Highlights quote
Fingers point at Thatcher
Three South African mercenaries have agreed to be prosecution
witnesses in the trial of Mark Thatcher. They allege that Thatcher
was involved in the plot to overthrow the president of Equatorial
Guinea.

Oh Dear Mark.
:ok:

[The Claw]

Anyway my good wishes are still with those behind bars. Can't be nice. Did send them a Christmas parcel - who knows if they received it?

Capt. Pheremone, you can be confident that they will receive it. I was surprised myself but the prison officials are pretty good in that respect. I suppose like anyone else, most of them are just trying to make a living. I've been sending stuff to both Chikurubi and Harare Central, no problems. In Zimbabwe they experienced a postal strike for the whole of October and together with the Christmas backlog, there will probably be delays, but I suppose that kind of thing is to be expected!

Thanks for your efforts :ok:

[B Sousa]

"Three South African mercenaries have agreed to be prosecution
witnesses in the trial of Mark Thatcher."

I think if I was in jail in Zimboonland, I would agree that Mother Goose was telling the truth, that there was a Fairy God Mother, and always a Pot of Gold at the end of a Rainbow.............AND anything else they wanted to hear.

[LGW Vulture]

BBC now reporting Thatcher to plead GUILTY in the Coup Trial !! :uhoh: :uhoh:

[Jacobest]

Hello all
Also just heard that Mark Thatcher will plead guilty for unwittingly bankrolling the plot to overthrow the government of EG.

Will post more as it becomes available.

One question though, I wonder wether the whole plot will now be thrown open?
:ok:

[Jacobest]

According to sabc TV, Mark Thatcher has reached and agreement with the SA government, whereby he will plead guilty to unwittingly bankrolling the failed coup attempt in EG. According to the deal he will be fined three million rand and handed down a five year suspended sentence. He will also not be extradited to EG and he will be allowed to leave the country and join his family in the United States.

Nice one. Unfortunately the guys in the foreign jails were never given the chance to negotiate a deal with the SA government.

Enjoy the states SIR MARK.

:ok:

[Gainesy]

join his family in the United States

Good. Don't want the scumbag back in UK.:yuk: :mad:

[Solid Rust Twotter]

Looks like Thabo's taking lessons from Mad Bob. First the attack on the judiciary to remind them who's boss and now a soft negotiated settlement for some rich bloke so they can point at him when they let Shaik off and say "Fair's fair!". Suppose Zuma won't even see the inside of a court... :(

[BAKELA]

This post may be controversial and the mods must and have to act as they see fit. As for the line of fire and the crossfire I am getting myself into...let rip. Please note...this is not a pro-Boeremag posting, I'm only using it argumentatively.

A couple of cases in SA for transgressing the "Foreign Military Assistance Act"...including that of Scratch, sorry, Sir Mark Thatcher.

A case in Zimbabwe for attempting to purchase firearms without authority or for attempting to purchase firearams to illegally support a coup in another African country...

A case in Zimbabwe for transgressing aviation and immigation laws...

A case in Equatorial Guinnea for plotting a coup...

A case in SA (for or against, depends on where you stand) about the foreign arms deal...

A rapist, murderer, armed robber (with aggrivating circumstances) gets bail in SA, the Boeremag members don't (and make no mistake, I think these Boeremag groupies needs help, badly..!)...

The moral of the story...in EG they are "found" guilty and sentenced, in Zimbabwe they are "found" guilty and sentenced, the rapists, murderers etc in SA get bail. Out of sight...out of mind...and no threat to the SA Government, or SA Government officials. The Government officials have enough bodyguards to keep rapists, murderers etc at bay, not like the SA man in the street.

The plea bargains in SA is interesting...no court case...no facts. The same for the Boeremag, no bail. Why I ask???

Because the SA Government (and it's officials) may see the Boeremag as a threat? Maybe the possible transgression of the Foreign Military Assistance Act by some SA citizens may also pose a threat to the SA Government, should the accused talk...? That's what all the plea bargains in SA seems to be telling me.

Is there something the SA Government knows (hides?) that we don't know? Just asking.

[Jacobest]

Maybe someone can answer this one because it is baffling my brain (but then again, I am only a pilot)

Sir Mark pleads guilty for unwittingly bankrolling an aircraft for the coup ("I did not know what I was doing, gee, sorry!!!!")

Yet in the same breath he: "I will help you with all the info that I have on the coup".

Now how can someone help the government in its probe into the failed coup if he did not know about it?????

FISHY, FISHY

Gainesy, keep a look out, apparantly Sir Mark might be on his way to you after all. It would seem that the SA media is not sure whether he is going to the states or coming to england first.
Let us know.


:ok:

[Deanw]

From News24:


'I was almost famous'

14/01/2005

East London - The owner of a helicopter company in East London said on Thursday he had no idea that one of his helicopters had been chartered for Mark Thatcher's Equatorial Guinea coup bid.

Brian Katz of the firm AV8 admitted that one of his helicopters had been rented by one of Thatcher's associates, Crause Steyl, who has since also been arrested by the Scorpions.

Steyl, who operated his own air ambulance company, phoned Katz to discuss the charter.

"He said they needed the helicopter for medical rescue work in Equatorial Guinea. I had no idea that it was part of a coup plot and only later, after the news of the plot broke, realised that the helicopter was supposed to have been part of the plan."

Katz said he dealt only with Steyl and never spoke to Thatcher.

He said the helicopter, which was flown by AV8 pilot Matthew Carter, only went as far as Walvis Bay in Namibia because he (Katz) insisted on receiving the paperwork before it left for Equatorial Guinea.

"Matthew sat there for three weeks and waited. They never told him the real reason.

"When I realised that no paperwork was forthcoming from the Civil Aviation Authority and from the Equatorial Guinea authorities I asked that the helicopter be brought back."

Katz said Steyl paid him normal rates and a deposit before Carter left for Namibia.

He said he has no idea why Steyl called him but "we are a helicopter company and get called out on contracts all the time."

He said there was never a chance that his helicopter would have been involved in any plot.

"There was no way that the helicopter would have entered Equatorial Guinea without the necessary paperwork.

"I was almost famous," he said.

"But disappointment is an understatement to describe how I felt when I learnt what the idea behind the charter had been."

[Gunship]

For a change some good news ... :ok:

A Zimbabwe court has slashed the sentence of Briton Simon
Mann, leader of a group jailed on charges related to a suspected coup
plot against the government of oil-rich Equatorial Guinea, his lawyer
said on Thursday.

Mann, a former member of Britain's special services, has been serving a
seven-year prison term after being convicted last September of
attempting to buy weapons without a licence from a Zimbabwe state firm.

Lawyer Jonathan Samkange said the defence had successfully applied to
the High Court for a review of Mann's sentence, adding that the court
was also reviewing the sentences of 64 South African citizens jailed
with him on related charges.

"The High Court made a review of his (Mann's) sentence and reduced it
to four years after we made representations," Samkange told Reuters.
"We are still awaiting the judge's decision on the other guys because
we have also made representations for a review."

Samkange gave no date for the appeal.

Court officials were not immediately available for comment.

The High Court last month allowed the 64 South Africans to appeal to
the Supreme Court, the highest in the country, against both their
sentences and convictions, but rejected a similar application by Mann.

Two out of an original group of 70 men were acquitted by a Harare
magistrate, one died in prison and two were released on health grounds
after falling ill.

The case has also involved Mark Thatcher, son of former British Prime
Minister Margaret Thatcher, who pleaded guilty in South Africa on
Thursday to a role in the Equatorial Guinea coup plot.

[Captain Pheremone]

This from BBC news 15 Jan 2005

"""SA keen to shed mercenary image
By Martin Plaut
BBC African analyst

South Africa clearly wanted the coup plot to fail
Sir Mark Thatcher's decision to plead guilty to participating - however unwittingly - in a coup attempt in the West African state of Equatorial Guinea has highlighted the ability of mercenaries to undermine African governments.
The alleged plot involved South Africans travelling to Zimbabwe to pick up arms before travelling on to Malabo - the capital of Equatorial Guinea - to meet up with a group of fellow mercenaries who were already in place.

But the plot was soon exposed and backfired, with men now languishing in jails in Malabo and the Zimbabwean capital, Harare.

One thing is certain: the coup in which Sir Mark Thatcher was apparently involved was widely known.

South African President Thabo Mbeki warned both Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea that the plot was under way even before the plane left South African airspace.

South Africa clearly wanted the coup to fail, but not before it had exposed everyone involved. ""

I mean c'mon, is this the way to police laws as responsible people.....its more the way of a "kindergarden" prank...although in this case its more serious. No hard guess where our Governments loyalties lie. Not with me thats for sure!!!!!!!

[Gunship]

http://www.mg.co.za/articledirect.aspx?area=mg_flat&articleid=195912

Coup pilot: SA govt stood back

Marléne Burger

Fresh claims of official support for an abortive bid to overthrow Equatorial Guinea’s
head of state were made this week by one of the chief conspirators.

According to Free State pilot Crause Steyl, jailed coup leaders Simon Mann and Nick
du Toit told him that South African authorities would not act against their mercenary
group because, like the governments of Spain, Britain and the United States, they
would have been “relieved” to see the dictatorial President Teodoro Obiang Nguema
deposed.

Steyl’s startling claims are supported by a confession made by Mann shortly after his
arrest in Harare on March 7 last year in which he says: “The South African [sic] has
recently ... contacted Severo Moto stating their support for him and inviting him to
meet the President of South Africa.”

This statement was excised from copies of the document leaked to the international
and South African media at the time and Mann has since repudiated his confession, but
Steyl told the Mail & Guardian this week that it was consistent with what he
believed.

“We knew from early December that the plan had been leaked and that the South African
authorities knew something was going to happen, but it was not until shortly before
we left that they sprang into action,” he said. “Up to that point, their attitude was
one of watch and wait, and both Mann and Du Toit were convinced that if we pulled it
off, Pretoria would be perfectly happy.”

However, he says, a telephone call “at the highest government level” some time in
January or late February forced the National Intelligence Agency to set in motion a
chain of events that resulted in the jailing of 69 soldiers of fortune in Zimbabwe
and another group, led by Du Toit, be given “inhumanely long” prison sentences in
Equatorial Guinea.

South African Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils revealed late last year that
warnings from Pretoria to the governments of both Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea
thwarted the coup attempt.

An ongoing investigation into the plan by the Scorpions has seen Steyl and two other
mercenaries, Harry Carlse and Lowtjie Horn, given hefty fines and suspended sentences
as part of plea bargains with the National Prosecuting Authority.

Steyl (39) was in charge of ferrying exiled opposition leader Severo Moto from the
Canary Islands to the Equatorial Guinean capital of Malabo within 30 minutes of a
successful coup led by Mann, a notorious British soldier of fortune.

This week, Steyl told Britain’s Channel 4 that Mark Thatcher, who left South Africa
last week within hours of being fined R3-million for his role in the plan, “knew a
lot more” about the coup plan than he has admitted.

“His role had to be kept hidden, because we knew that as the former British prime
minister’s son, if it became known, the media would have a field day,” said Steyl,
who was directly involved in Thatcher’s funding, selection and testing of a
helicopter for use as a combined gunship and air ambulance.

In a separate interview with the M&G, Steyl said he had “reason to believe” that a
call “from Paris to Pretoria” galvanised South African authorities into action. The
result was the impounding of a Boeing 727, with 63 former South African security
force members on board and Steyl’s brother Niel at the helm, at Harare airport when
it landed to pick up the weapons Mann and Du Toit had bought from Zimbabwe Defence
Industries for the coup.

Mann also offered assurances that the plan had the backing of then Spanish prime
minister Jose-Maria Aznar, who had offered Moto a home in exile and was keen to gain
a foothold in the burgeoning offshore oil industry in the former Spanish colony that
is Africa’s third-largest producer of crude.

When the plan was aborted following the arrests in Harare, Steyl remained confident
that Spanish and other government influence would protect the mercenaries. This
belief was boosted when he and British businessmen David Tremain, Greg Wales and
Karim Fallaha were briefly detained in Las Palmas, Canary Islands, early on March 8.

“We were questioned by Spanish intelligence agents for about 20 minutes, but after
Moto spoke with them, they told us we were free to go, despite the fact that I had
entered the Canaries without a passport or visa, and normally, would have been
arrested as an illegal immigrant.”

Aznar has consistently denied all knowledge of the coup. Mann claimed in his
confession that the former premier had at least three meetings with Moto while still
in office and had promised to send “3 000 Guardia Civil to Equatorial Guinea as soon
as he was established”.

“I have been respectfully told that the Spanish government will support the return of
Moto immediately and strongly,” Mann said.

Steyl said despite several postponements and setbacks, Mann’s group had no choice but
to go ahead with the plan on March 7 “because we had to get the job done before the
Spanish elections”.

While Steyl remains convinced that the coup plan was backed and financed by “powerful
and important people” he now believes that he was misled, at least in part, by Mann
and Du Toit regarding the full extent of support that could be relied on “if things
went wrong”.

“If we had got the job done, a lot of people in high places would have applauded, but
when things went wrong, we were absolutely on our own. I suppose that’s just the way
these things happen,” he said.

[B Sousa]

Still sounds as if the "support" they might have received was nothing more than to ferret out who was involved and then sell them down the river in another country......

[Gunship]

The current release date of the non-pilots is 10 May 05 by the way :ok: Downhill now ..

http://www.africaonline.co.zw/mirror/stage/archive/050213/national5346.html

Sunday 13 February, 2005
National News

Fate of mercenary plane under wraps

Kuda Chikwanda Chief Staff Writer

THE fate of the Boeing 727-100 airplane at the midst of the mercenary saga that
gripped Zimbabwe last year and which was resultantly forfeited to the government of
Zimbabwe, remains unknown with government officials refusing to shed any meaningful
light on the use of the plane.

The plane brought the convicted mercenaries to Zimbabwe in March last year, as they
were en route to the Equatorial Guinea to stage a coup, and made a stop-over in
Zimbabwe to enable the mercenaries to make weapons purchases.

The aircraft was then seized by Zimbabwean authorities, who smelt a rat after the
plane’s crew made a false declaration at Harare International Airport.

The magistrates court, in September last year, ruled that US$ 3 million (Z$ 18,6
billion) airplane be forfeited to the state, last September during the delivery of a
judgment in the case of the mercenaries who had arrived into the country illegally
aboard the airplane.

According to official communiqués from the Attorney General’s (AG) office that were
made in September 2004 after the decision by the magistrate’s court, the forfeiture
of the airplane was in accordance with international law standards.

“…if anyone has an interest in the forfeiture, they have up to three years to apply
for the reversal of such forfeiture,” said then Acting-AG, Bharat Patel after the
court order.

However up to now, there has been no application for such forfeiture.

Efforts to get a comment from the ministry of Transport and Communications, part of
whose mandate is overseeing the aviation industry, on the intended use of the plane
yielded nought, with ministry officials denying any involvement with the aircraft.

“Our ministry never handled that issue. It was handled by the justice and security
ministries. We don’t know anything about that airplane apart from that it was
forfeited to the state last year,” said Transport and Communications secretary,
Karikoga Kaseke.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs minister, Patrick Chinamasa could not
confirm to what use the plane had been put, after it was declared government property
last September, in accordance with international law standards.

“The issue of that plane is an administrative matter. I think the only important
thing that you have to note is that the court ordered that the plane was forfeited to
the state. Whether it will be used or where it will be used is neither here nor
there, and if it becomes important for the public to know, then we let them know. At
the present moment there is no need for the public to know what has happened to that
plane,” said Chinamasa. Minister of State Security Nicholas Goche could not be
reached for comment at the time of going to press.

Speculation had been rife that the forfeited airplane would be given to Zimbabwe’s
beleaguered national airline, Air Zimbabwe, which has been hard hit by operational
problems, one of them being a critical shortage of aircraft.

Despite the Boeing 727 model being the world’s second most successful jet airliner –
behind the 737 make - it however is unlikely that Air Zimbabwe will be interested in
the 41-year-old aircraft.

The prototype 727 first flew on February 9, 1963, and was granted certification in
December of that year, before the first 727 entered service on February 9 1964.
Production of the 727-100 ceased in 1973.

In contrast, the 737 models, of which Air Zimbabwe has owned a couple, made their
maiden flights in 1965 and are still in production.

A glance at the life of the mercenary aircraft reveals that the plane had endured
heavy usage during its 41-year-old history, thus making it an unattractive option to
the national airline for commercial passenger use.

The plane, registered in the United States, first saw commercial aircraft duty in
1964 after National Airlines bought it from Boeing, before it was sold to Intercredit
Corp in 1985, which sold the plane in the same year to Boeing Military Airplane
Company.

On October 3 1985, Boeing Military Airplane Company then sold the ill-fated aircraft
to US general Services Administration and from that period to January 1 2002 when it
was sold to Dodson International Parts, the aircraft was used by United States Air
Force as part of the National Guard.

Dodson resold the plane within three days of having purchased it to Dodson Aviation,
which owned the plane until March 7 when Zimbabwean officials seized it.

[Gunship]

Thank you Zimbabwe ... ther might be some humanity left afterall ... :ok:

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_1670431,00.html

4-month 'bonus' for Zim 70

Harare - Zimbabwe High Court has reduced by four months the sentences of a group of
suspected mercenaries jailed in connection with an alleged coup plot in Equatorial
Guinea, said a court official on Wednesday.

"I can confirm that the sentences of the suspected mercenaries and the two pilots
have been reduced by four months," said a court source.

Judge Yunus Omerjee gave no reasons when he handed down his ruling in an application
made by the suspected mercenaries' lawyers late last year.

"If my calculations are right, the men should be released immediately," said their
South African-based lawyer, Alwyn Griebenow.

Last year, a lower court jailed the group, including former British soldier Simon
Mann, on various convictions for breaching Zimbabwe's aviation, immigration, firearms
and security laws.

Mann was slapped with a seven-year jail term, later reduced to four years.

The two pilots who flew a plane into Harare to collect arms got 16 months and the
rest were jailed for 12 months.

Griebenow said the men serving the one-year term now had to serve only eight months,
which ended on May 10.

But, under Zimbabwean law, the men also qualify for a one-third remission of sentence
for well-behaved prisoners. :ooh:

Counting this reduction, all the men - except the two pilots who received longer jail
terms - should be released immediately. :ok:

The court official said the men would be freed into the custody of Zimbabwe's
immigration department for deportation to South Africa as they had been declared
illegal immigrants.

Mann, a former member of Britain's crack Special Air Services (SAS) force, along with
69 others were arrested on March 7 last year at Harare International Airport en route
to Equatorial Guinea.

They were accused of being on their way to join an advance party in the west African
state of Equatorial Guinea in a plot to overthrow longtime leader Teodoro Obiang
Nguema.

The men denied the charges, claiming they were on their way to the Democratic
Republic of Congo to guard mines.

British businessman Sir Mark Thatcher, who was accused of partly financing the
alleged plot, was recently fined by a South African court for violating
anti-mercenary laws and paid a R3m fine.

News just released :ok:

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_1670681,00.html

Most of a group of 66 suspected South African mercenaries jailed in Zimbabwe last year will be freed on Thursday, a South African official said.

"We expect them to arrive on Johannesburg in the afternoon," foreign affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said on Thursday morning. :ok:

[Gunship]

Sir Mark T was still in SA last week searching for a new house after he faced questions in court on the Eq Guinea Issue.

[B Sousa]

Cavortingkitty, it appears has no love for Mark. So be it. As far as Im concerned, hes welcome in the U.S. and the dude from the E.Q. can live in SA, next to Aristide and all the long line of others that seems to be finding large estates funded by the SA Taxpayer, are the way to go.
Get your head out.

[Gunship]

Pretoria - The wheels were in motion late on Thursday afternoon for the homecoming of 64 suspected South African mercenaries jailed in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwean authorities were processing deportation papers for the men, after which they would be handed over to immigration officials, said foreign affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa.

The men are to be freed after having their prison sentences cut by four months.

There was no clarity on Thursday afternoon when the men would arrive.

Mamoepa said they might arrive in Johannesburg later on Thursday, but the men's lawyer said he did not expect them back before Saturday morning.

Alwyn Griebenow said: "There is a long process involved in getting them out."

Lots of paperwork to be done

Before they could be deported, the men's passports and private belongings kept by the Zimbabwean authorities would have to be returned to them.

There also was a lot of paperwork to be completed, said Griebenow.

"The plane tickets can't be bought before we know exactly when they are going to be freed.

"Our embassy officials there (in Harare) are in discussions with prison and immigration officials on how and when the release will take place."

Mamoepa said the men's lawyers would pay for their plane tickets.

Griebenow was due to leave for Harare on Thursday and arrive there at 21:00.

"I should have more clarity by Friday morning as to what will happen (and) when."

Sixty-seven of the original 70 men arrested in connection with an alleged coup d'etat plot in Equatorial Guinea were in prison in Zimbabwe. Two were acquitted and one died in jail.

Griebenow said 64 of them were expected to be released this week. Two pilots might not be freed with the others.

The Zimbabwean High Court on Wednesday reduced the men's sentences by four months. They also qualified under Zimbabwean laws for a one-third remission of sentence for good behaviour.

As a result, 64 of the men - who were sentenced to 12 months in jail each - qualified for an immediate release.

Two pilots, who each got 16-month sentences, would be due for release only on May 10, said Griebenow.

"But we will be negotiating with the Zimbabwean authorities, asking them to release the two with the others as an act of goodwill."

Mann will have to stay behind

The 67th prisoner, the group's apparent leader, Simon Mann, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, later reduced to four years, and would have to remain behind.

The group was arrested at Harare International Airport in March last year when they apparently landed to refuel and pick up military equipment. They were all travelling on South African passports.

They were convicted of breaching Zimbabwe's aviation, immigration, firearms and security laws.

Mamoepa said on Thursday there had been no political or diplomatic efforts to get the men home earlier.

"This was a purely (Zimbabwean) judicial decision," he said.

[clipboard]

Cavortingcheetah, it is evident from your postings on the subject here that you are very much in the dark about this affair, that you are thumbsucking and that you know very little about what this whole thing is all about.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, and as fellow ppruners we value your opinion, but please my man, please just apply your mind and logic before posting such pathetic statements.:} :mad:

[Gunship]

Perhaps you did not have the advantage of following his lack lustre career through Saudi Arabia and the Sahara some years ago. The European press are rather better informed than some others.

Believe the press mate - it will bring you faaar in life ... :E:E:E

[contraxdog]

I know I am a rockspider, but am I the only one that thinks the frolicking lesser spotted predator is talking in code? Like there is a spy ops call up or something,Or maybe he is using one of those bad, language translator programs available on the market to Japanese tourists?
Gunns?

[cavortingcheetah]

;)
Let me please lay this one to rest. I enjoy Prune far too much to wish to upset people in any way other than a rather jocular one. I have a special predilection for the witticisms of many who write in not least of all the last two before this pensive missive.
I speak not in code, nor do I translate. I could do this thread in Spanish or French, except that, English is the language! ek praat nie die tal ( is that right?) you will see that Afrikaans is not one of my talents although I would commend Ian Bennett's book 'A Rain of Lead' The Siege and Surrender of the British at Potchefstroom, as being a cracking good read. (ISBN 1 85367 437 0 )
I are a rockspider too.
MT has a sister called Carol(e), hence the Christmas reflections. I gather, from a newscast I watched the other day, as the dear boy jetted up from JHB en route to Dallas, Ho Ho, that she was less than pleased with her sibling's antics. I think that she said something like:mad: the papers. That is the extent of my Enigma Machine.:D

[B Sousa]

Gettin Interesting. Maybe CC could take this to another thread. Sounds like we are having our own "Da Vinci Code" on PP

[Gunship]

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=15&art_id=vn20050305102152302C386936

Scorpions waiting for freed 'mercenaries'

By Michael Schmidt

It's out of the fire and into the frying pan for the 64 alleged mercenaries who look
set to be released from Chikurubi Prison in Zimbabwe on Saturday.

After their arrival in South Africa the National Prosecuting Authority will question
them with a view to prosecuting them under South African anti-mercenary legislation.

South African intelligence agents, members of the priority crimes litigation unit of
the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and NPA investigators - probably from the
Directorate of Special Operations (the "Scorpions") - are likely to interrogate the
men on their return to South Africa about the thwarted plot to overthrow Equatorial
Guinea dictator Teodoro Obiang Nguema.

'I don't want to celebrate until his feet are on South African soil'
The men were arrested in Harare in March last year, where the aircraft they were
travelling in, a Boeing 727, had landed, allegedly to pick up arms from a contact at
Zimbabwean Defence Industries to be used to overthrow Obiang.

"Our role is pretty clear," said NPA spokesperson Makhosini Nkosi, "and that is,
where the law has been broken there has to be a prosecution.

"We need to look at the facts of the matter and, if there is a need to question them,
we will do that with a view to a possible prosecution. We're not going to prosecute
them in terms of the Zimbabwean laws because they have been prosecuted and punished
for that," Nkosi said.

He was referring to the 12-month sentence, reduced by high court order this week by
four months, that the 63 alleged mercenaries and flight engineer Ken Payne received
last year for contravening Zimbabwe's aviation, immigration and firearms laws.

"Instead, we will be looking at the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act.
Immediately there is a suspicion they could have broken that law, we are going to be
investigating."

He stressed the men would not be picked up at the airport but would be interviewed
later.

Nkosi said the NPA was also weighing up whether or not to prosecute three other
alleged mercenaries: Mark Schmidt, Americo Riberio and Ablo Augusto, who were
acquitted by Equatorial Guinea after nine months in Black Beach prison.

The fact that acquittal under foreign laws does not mean suspects automatically
escape prosecution under South African law was shown by the case of three other men
who were originally among those arrested in Zimbabwe for their alleged role in the
Guinean coup.

Commercial pilot Crause Steyl was fined R200 000 or 10 years for having taken part in
the plot to overthrow Obiang.

Steyl was fined in line with a plea-bargain that had seen him give evidence against
financier Sir Mark Thatcher.

Two of Steyl's accomplices who had also given evidence against Thatcher after being
sent home from Zimbabwe, Lourens Horn and Harry Carlse, were each fined R75 000 or
four years for their part in the plot. Steyl, Horn and Carlse were additionally each
given four-year suspended sentences.

In January, Thatcher plea-bargained his own fate down to a R3-million fine and a
four-year suspended sentence for having financed a helicopter that was to have been
used in the coup.

Alwyn Griebenow, the Port Elizabeth lawyer acting for the men in Harare, admitted he
expected his clients to be grilled by intelligence agents and prosecuting authorities
on their return, saying he was negotiating this with the Scorpions.

Speaking from Harare on Friday, Payne's wife, Marge, said she was "very excited"
about her husband's imminent release; but there had been "so many ups and downs that
I don't want to celebrate until his feet are on South African soil".

[Rhodie]

I, for one will be waiting to welcome the boys home..

One point here - the SA "authorities" said, right at the beginning, that there was "not enough evidence" to investigate or even to stop the plane before departure, but then quickly sold everyone down the river to the Zimboon goons. NOW, they say they will interview the guys returning....?

The whole thing stinks.... :yuk: :yuk:

I wouldn't be surprised if there have been more backhanders in this between Mad Bob and some governmunt "officials" in SA, than the Mo and Zuma goon show.. :mad:

R

[Gunship]

Ja I think it's quite clear that the SA gov knew all about it but cleverly let them dig their own grave.

Most probably informing some corrupt bobbofficials and there we go ... bob is happy that he "caught out" the American's / British and and and ... what a joke.

I just wish I can hear the REAL story ... gotta wait another 2 weeks till I will reunite with 3 great friends :ok:

Take care out there ..

Gunss

[B Sousa]

In the words of one of our well known philosophers "Its aint over, till its over"
Watch out for the stinger tails to walk in and keep the fires burning. Should be no surprise.
These guys are gonna need a lot of support upon return.....EVERY ONE of them.

[Gunship]

Looks like the release is not going well ... :\ :\ :\

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

[Gunship]

Eventually !!! :ok::ok::ok:

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_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=qw1110209941786B253#jump

[an-124]

Is this the same coup that Mark Thatcher is wrapped up in?

[Solid Rust Twotter]

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...:( :yuk:

[joebloggs13]

Any word on Nick Du Toit and the rest of the boys in E.Q.???

[Gunship]

:sad:

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_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_1674527,00.html

[Paterbrat]

Sadly sounds like the classic, get their hopes up then postpone postpone postpone. As a morale crusher it is deadly.

[Captain Pheremone]

Hey Gunsssss....soooooo when are they home.........!!!?????

[Captain Pheremone]

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.
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[cavortingcheetah]

:) What Ho Gunss. Beiter and Beiter. :p