Govt welcomes Zim 70 ruling

2004-06-09 21:37

Pretoria - The cabinet welcomed a Pretoria High Court decision on Wednesday which refused to order the State to seek the return of alleged mercenaries held in Zimbabwe.

"Government welcomes the decision of the court, which is consistent with our own legal instruments and diplomatic relations with countries on the continent," said communications and information systems chief executive Joel Netshitenzhe.

Meeting in Pretoria on Wednesday, the cabinet said the government would "continue to play its role in respect of the consular services that these citizens deserve, and we do recognise the right of those affected to pursue any other legal options open to them".

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.

DA concerned about fair trial

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

The men might seek relief from the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg.

Earlier, Democratic Alliance chief whip Douglas Gibson said his party respected the court's decision, but said he was concerned about the treatment that the men were receiving in Zimbabwe "and their prospects for a fair trial".

"The DA has always condemned mercenary activity of any kind. We also believe that everyone has the right to be presumed innocent before being proven guilty, as well as the right to a fair trial.

"The South African government must immediately outline the steps they will take to ensure the South African citizens in question receive a fair trial.

The government's initial tardiness in granting consular services to the men is indefensible.

"Now that the High Court has made its ruling, the onus again shifts to the South African government to ensure that the men's rights are protected and that they are held in conditions compliant with international law," said Gibson.

- SAPA