Zim 'arms ship' docks in Durban

2008-04-16 13:46

Durban - An uncleared vessel - suspected of carrying arms - docked at the Durban harbour, the National Ports authority said on Wednesday.

Spokesperson Ricky Bhikraj said the Chinese vessel had entered the port without clearance and had currently docked at the outer anchorage.

The ship - called 'An Yue Jiang' - is suspected of carrying a consignment of arms allegedly headed for Zimbabwe.

A Port side police source told Sapa the ship was carrying arms and had docked at the harbour on April 14.

He said there were rumours that it was to deliver arms to Zimbabwe.

Bhikraj confirmed that a vessel by that name had entered the Port of Durban.

"We can confirm that there is an uncleared vessel (not cleared to enter port) by that name currently at the outer anchorage. The allegations are being handled by the various national security authorities," he said.

Noseweek editor Martin 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 it was his own business.

Bhikraj, meanwhile, said the vessel had to follow procedures.

"There is a normal process for all ISPS (International Ship and Ports Security) vessels to be cleared to enter the port. He said this vessel would now have to go through that process and that it could take quite some time before it is cleared.

He said if the vessel was not cleared, it would not be allowed to enter a South African port.

Asked whether there had been arms on the ship, Bhikraj said: "We can't comment on the whether arms were or were not on the vessel"

Dennis Abrio of the national branch of the South African Police Service said they would comment on the matter once they had details.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Superintendent Vincent Mdunge said he could not comment on the matter.

- SAPA