SA govt denies Zim 70 'trap'

2004-05-25 22:25

Erika Gibson

Pretoria - The South African government did not have an "orchestrated plan" to lead the 70 alleged mercenaries in Zimbabwe into a trap.

Also, the national intelligence agency (NIA) had no prior knowledge of the men's plan to overthrow the government of Equatorial Guinea.

But, this seems to contradict earlier statements - from presidential spokesperson Bheki Khumalo, former intelligence minister Lindiwe Sisulu and Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils, among others - that the NIA was aware of the plans and that there was talk of a "trap".

These denials are noted in the State's papers submitted to Pretoria High Court, where the men's legal team initiated an urgent court application on Tuesday to force the government to protect the men's consitutional rights.

NIA deputy director-general Lizo Njenje said in a statement before the court that allegations of a trap were "false" and could be described as "hear-say".

"The NIA had no suspicion," he declared.

This brings about the question who leaked the information to Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea.

Security forces praised for diligence

The State is opposing the application by the "Zim 70".

Shortly after the men were taken into custody at the Harare airport on March 7 this year, Sisulu praised the intelligence services of the three countries for stopping a coup attempt in its tracks.

Khumalo denied that President Thabo Mbeki was personally involved in the warning to Equatorial Guinea, but confirmed that "South African law-enforcement agencies" warned that country to ensure no illegal coup took place.

Shortly after he was sworn in as the new intelligence minister, Kasrils said on 29 April that if it were not for the information from the South African intelligence services, the Zimbabwean government would not have been able to arrest the alleged mercenaries.

Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota made similar statements in parliament this week.

Judge-President Bernard Ngoepe, who is hearing the application in the High Court, warned government officials not to comment further on the case as it was sub judice.

The respondents in the application are Mbeki, the ministers of justice, safety and security, intelligence, domestic and foreign affairs as well as the national director of public prosecutions.

Reciprocal exchange of information

It further emerged from affidavits that Mbeki and Equatorial Guinea signed an agreement for the furtherance of defence and security on February 16 this year, not three weeks before the men were arrested in Zimbabwe and 15 other men were arrested in Equatorial Guinea.

One of the stipulations of the agreement was the reciprocal exchange of security information about "activities and movement of elements" that could threaten the safety and stability of the two countries.

The two governments may not divulge any classified information that is exchanged between them.

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- Beeld