I'm innocent - Mark Thatcher
2004-08-25 23:50
Cape Town - Millionaire businessman Mark Thatcher, 51, maintained his innocence late on Wednesday, saying he had no involvement in a coup to overthrow the central African country's long-time leader Teodoro Obiang Nguema.
He is to face charges of breaking the law on military aid to foreign countries and conspiring to do so.
He said: "I am innocent of all charges made against me.
"I have been and am co-operating fully with the authorities in order to resolve the matter, he said in a statement released by his spokesperson, Lord Bell.
"I have no involvement in an alleged coup in Equatorial Guinea and I reject all suggestions to the contrary."
High walls, automatic gates and bodyguards didn't prevent the Scorpions from arresting Thatcher at dawn on Wednesday at his thatched-roof home at 10 Dawn Avenue, Constantia.
Thatcher, the son of the former British prime minister, Baroness Margaret Thatcher, was still in his pyjamas.
Telephone records and computer data
According to Sipho Ngwema, the Scorpions' national spokesperson, Thatcher is suspected of providing about $275 000 (R1.8m) to finance a botched coup in Equatorial Guinea.
He was released on R2m bail late on Wednesday afternoon.
Ngwema said the Scorpions had searched the house for financial statements, telephone records and computer data.
Thatcher's wife, Diane, and his two children, 14-year-old Michael and 10-year-old Amanda, were at home.
News of Thatcher's arrest dominated the British media on Wednesday.
According to Ngwema, the Scorpions had been aware of Thatcher's alleged involvement in plans to execute a coup, but had waited for the right moment.
"We got information under oath earlier this month that connected him with alleged mercenaries in Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea... He is alleged to have financed their operation."
Ngwema said they got the sworn statement in South Africa.
"He was issued with a South African warrant for breaking a South African law.
"I hear a warrant was also issued in Equatorial Guinea for his arrest. I cannot confirm that.
"We have had no request from that country to date for his extradition.
"If something like this happens, the process will be handled through normal channels."
Ngwema confirmed Thatcher was the only person who had been arrested on South African soil in connection with the alleged coup.
His travel is restricted
He appeared in court before magistrate Awie Kotze and was released on condition that he validated the bail amount of R2m with a bank guarantee or bond on or before September 8.
Until then, he would not be allowed to leave home.
After this, he would have to report to Wynberg police station every day between 08:00 and 16:00.
His local travel also was restricted and he had to hand over all travel documents. The case was postponed to November 25.
Ngwema said rumours Thatcher had been robbed of his shoes and cellphone in the court cells were "utter rubbish".