SAfrica says media to be given access to Equatorial Guinea “mercenaries” trial

SAPA news agency web site
28 Oct 04

Johannesburg, 28 October: The trial of the eight South Africans accused
of plotting a coup in Equatorial Guinea will recommence on 16 November,
senior South African government officials have learnt.

Officials led by Presidential Security Adviser Billy Masetla met
Equatorial Guinea’s Attorney-General Jose Olo Obono and the ambassador
to South Africa Juan Nchuchuma in Pretoria on Wednesday 27 October .

Foreign Affairs spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa said on Thursday that Obono
had approved a request by the South African delegation for media
access to the trial.

“He also approved a request for further consular access to those
currently in detention in Malabo.”

Mamoepa said foreign affairs consular officers would visit the
detainees once the arrangements were finalized.

Eight South Africans, six Armenians and five Guineans, including
a former deputy minister, went on trial in Malabo on 23 August for
allegedly trying to topple President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, in power
since 1979.

The case was adjourned on 31 August at the request of Obono, to get
“further information” following the arrest of Mark Thatcher in South
Africa on 25 August.

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