Mystery over Zim arms on ship

2008-04-16 21:16

Durban - A Chinese ship, whose cargo is alleged to include arms for Zimbabwe, has been cleared to dock and offload its controversial cargo in the port, said Transnet on Wednesday.

Spokesperson John Dludlu said on Wednesday: "As for vessel An Yue Jiang, we wish to confirm that this vessel with its cargo destined for Zimbabwe is at anchorage outside the port of Durban.

"As is procedure with all vessels, the vessel and its cargo have been cleared by the relevant authorities."

However, Dludlu did not say what the contents of the cargo were.

According to noseweek editor Martin Welz, the cargo includes a shipment of arms.

The ship's master, who identified himself as Captain Sunaijun, told Sapa by radio phone that there was "no dangerous cargo on general cargo".

Cops say there are weapons

Asked if there was cargo destined for Zimbabwe, he confirmed there was.

However, clarity on the contents of the cargo could not be ascertained due to the poor quality connection in communicating with the ship.

Earlier on Wednesday, Inspector Nicholas Gunther of the police explosives unit in Durban told Sapa that An Yue Juang was carrying weapons.

"There are arms on the vessel and the ship is on the outer anchorage of the port and it's been docked here since April 14.

"We have not allowed it in because they have no clearance, which is something they should have got beforehand.

"We went there just now and they are not being allowed in," he said.

"There was a problem with documents they submitted and we have directed the matter to the chief inspector of explosives in Pretoria, Senior Superintendent Van Sittert, and it may take days for them to get clearance," said Gunther.

He said that if the vessel's entire cargo did not get clearance, it would not be allowed to dock.

He explained that if, for example, the ship was carrying 500 containers and only one container had not been cleared, the vessel would still be allowed to enter the port.

"They would be allowed to enter, offload those containers that had been cleared by the South African government and leave with those that had not been cleared."

Gunther told Sapa that he was not certain if any of the cargo was destined for Zimbabwe.

"But, if it was a trans-shipment then it gets imported here and is sent by road or rail to neighbouring countries. We are not sure if that's what they are doing," he said.

36 containers on board

Leonard Hadebe, head of customs in Durban said: "We have confirmed that the shipment was headed for Zimbabwe.

"Right now the ship is awaiting clearance. If they are carrying any prohibited or illegal goods, they will be detained by customs.

"So far, I've been told that there are 36 containers on board and until customs has cleared the containers we don't know what's inside."

Durban Port Captain Ricky Bhikraj confirmed that the An Yue Jiang was scheduled to dock in Durban on Thursday.

"Allegations are being handled by various national security authorities," he said.

noseweek editor Welz earlier told Sapa: "The cargo ship was openly delivering a containment of arms for Zimbabwe."

Asked where he had obtained the information from, Welz said this was his "own business".

Bhikraj, asked whether there were arms on the ship, said: "We can't comment on whether or not there are arms on the vessel."

National police spokesperson Dennis Adriao said he would comment on the matter once he had more details.

Spoornet spokesperson Mike Asefovitz said he was not aware that Spoornet had been given the task of transporting the ship's cargo from Durban.

He said that during the apartheid era the previous regime transported arms and military equipment on specially-designed trains within the country.

Govt must clarify shipment

He said Spoornet no longer had any such specialised trains.

Democratic Alliance spokesperson Rafeek Shah said: "Due to the gravity of the situation, the government needs to clarify exactly what the status and nature of the shipment is without delay.

"There are conflicting reports about whether the weapons are still on board the ship concerned or whether they, in fact, are on the road to Zimbabwe.

"Either way, it is imperative that action is taken to ensure these weapons are not allowed to destabilise what is already a precarious situation in Zimbabwe."

- SAPA