'He is not like that'
2004-03-20 09:07
Pretoria - The wife of one of the men being held in Equatorial Guinea believes her husband's faith will carry him through and that God will watch over him.
Belinda du Toit, wife of Nick du Toit, the alleged leader of the so-called South African mercenaries who were arrested in the tiny West African country 12 days ago, told Beeld in an exclusive interview she often wondered if her husband would ever return home again.
"But then again, he always said nothing comes across one's path without a reason. His faith will carry him through, and the Lord will watch over him even if nobody else believes in him right now."
"The uncertainty is the worst. In my heart I know that he is probably being tortured, and then I wonder whether we would ever again be together as a family.
"At present I have to be strong for the children. The wounds will heal in time if only he can come home and have a fair trial."
"Bone" Boonzaaier, Mark Schmidt, George Alerson, JP Domingo, Sergio Cardoso and Abel Augusto, as well as a flight crew and other employees of Du Toit's business in Equatorial Guinea were arrested 12 days ago.
One of the employees, the German Gerhard Eugen Nershz, died earlier this week. Officially the cause of death was given as cerebral malaria, but it is rumoured that he was tortured to death.
Initially it was reported that Du Toit was dead, "but I just knew it wasn't true", says his wife.
Last week Monday she called him to tell him that their daughter had been elected school prefect. "He promised to call to congratulate her, but never did. I immediately realised something was wrong, as he usually called several times a day."
Although she didn't want to provide details that could influence her husband's case, she said he visited Equatorial Guinea for the first time in July last year.
A beautiful country
"He said it was a beautiful country with incredible potential - especially fishing. He regarded it as nothing more than a business deal, because it bothered him that the country was so poor.
"He wanted to help establish banks and shops, but his investments are now probably all gone. He will have to start all over again."
"But that doesn't matter. I'll live in a shack as long as he returns safely."
She marvelled at the support she was receiving from unknown people who called or sent SMS messages, even from overseas.
"Just when I think I can't stand it anymore, I receive a call or an SMS telling me to have faith.
"It hurts when people refer to him as 'a dog of war'. Fortunately those who know him, knows that he is not like that. He might have been a recce for 21 years, but that doesn't mean he is cold and unapproachable.
"He is not driven by politics and has endless faith in the possibilities in Africa."
She says their 10-year-old daughter misses him a lot, as they used to be inseparable. The other four children are older and understand what is happening.