Minister of Intelligence Ronnie Kasrils is on his way to Zimbabwe to fetch a South African agent jailed there for spying on the ruling Zanu-PF.
”Yes, Minister Kasrils is on his way to Johannesburg International airport now. He will probably board a flight at about 10am,” his spokesperson Lorna Daniels said on Tuesday.
She confirmed that spy master Aubrey Welken will be released to Kasrils and South African Secret Service director general Hilton Dennis in Harare.
”Kasrils will also meet with his Zimbabwean counterpart. We expect they will return today after 1pm,” said Daniels.
Welken was arrested by Zimbabwe Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operatives at Victoria Falls on December 10 2000.
He was accused of controlling a spy ring of senior Zimbabwean government and ruling-party figures.
Welken allegedly paid his Zimbabwean contacts to report on tensions within President Robert Mugabe’s government — in power since independence in 1980, but now dogged by a prolonged economic and political crisis.
A press conference is expected at Johannesburg International airport on Tuesday afternoon. — Sapa