Mbeki didn't give tipoff

2004-03-11 07:47

Erika Gibson

Pretoria - Bheki Khumalo, spokesperson for President Thabo Mbeki, denied on Wednesday there was any conversation between the president and President Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea (EG) before a plane with several South Africans on board was seized.

Nguema said on EG's radio station on Wednesday that he received a warning from "the South African president" that a group of mercenaries was on its way to his country.

Nguema said: "Angola also sent a message that we should be alert. This is what I expect from friendly governments."

Khumalo said: "The law enforcement agencies in South Africa were in contact with their counterparts in EG about a number of issues, including mercenary activities.

"They (the agencies) contacted the EG to make sure that no unconstitutional change of government took place in that country."

Fifteen men, including seven South Africans, were arrested in EG at the weekend. They have already admitted that their goal was to kill Nguema, after which the second group would execute a coup.

Nguema alleged that ousted opposition leader, Severo Moto, who is in exile in Spain, is behind the coup plans.

Moto denied on Wednesday he had anything to do with the detainees in EG.

Africa Confidential reported on Wednesday that Simon Mann, a British national who also carries a South African passport, had been waiting for the second group in Harare.

He apparently arranged for the procurement of AK-47 assault rifles, mortars and 30 000 shells from Zimbabwe Defence Industries to use in the alleged coup.

The report said Obiang would try to use the latest events in his favour since he was apparently under investigation by the Central Intelligence Agency recently because of his government's bank account in Washington.

He has sole signing powers on this account that has a balance of more than $600m.

- Beeld