This is the full transcript of the charge sheet against Robert McBride
7th court – criminal
This is a copy of the charge sheet, pages 145 to 148, in the case of court ref no 66/98/7th, deducted by the public prosecutor against the accused: Robert John McBride, Vuzi Mbata and Alexandre Francisco Uamba
Recorded number
Request and attach from the accused
The public prosecutor accuses in provisional charge sheet:
Robert John McBride, married, 34 years of age, diplomat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Africa and a member of the intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of South Africa, son of McBride and Dorys Math Bralt, born in the Republic of South Africa, residing in Pretoria.
Vuzi Mbata, also known as Vuzi Madida, and also known as Manuel Alfeu Mbata, 23 years of age, an employee of the ANC, son of Rungo and Rosalina Tivane, born in Morrumbane – Inhambane, residing in RSA, for the last 10 years in Hillbrow, Jhb.
Alexandre Francisco Uamba, married, aged 43, born in Moamba – Maputo, son of Francisco Uamba and Celina Guambe, residing at the time of arrest at Bairro, Chamanculo, Maputo.
The charge sheet sufficiently indicates that:
1 In the year of 1987, co-accused Vuzi Madida entered the RSA from Maputo, where he joined the ANC in the year of 1990.
2 In 1991 he travelled to Zambia to receive training on behalf of that organisation. He returned to the RSA that same year.
3 During that same year he met two neighbours called Alberto Uamba and Henriques Uamba, who, knowing that he was a member of the ANC, proposed to do business in acquiring firearms. According to the same people, their brother Alexandre Uamba was dealing in the business of selling to the Inkatha movement, and he wanted to expand the business.
4 Co-accused Vuzi brought the matter to the knowledge of Winnie Mandela, whom he calls ”mama”, who in the meantime showed interest.
5 In August 1996, co-accused Alexandre Uamba, upon being contacted by Vuzi, saw Winnie, with whom he settled the terms of supplying these required weapons of war which included bombs.
6 In fact, since 1992 co-accused Alexandre used to bring weapons to Mozambique to sell them to Inkatha in the RSA, in the person of Mr Zulu, in the area of Durban.
7 Prices varied between 400 rands (pistol), 1 000 rands (AKM-47) and 3 000 rands (bomb).
8 In 1996, Winnie Mandela met in the Republic of Swaziland with a general of the FADM with the name of Massango, with whom they agreed to train 80 men from her movement on Mozambican territory.
9 It was from here that, in August of the same year, Vuzi was sent to Mozambique with co-accused Robert McBride (known in the meantime by him as a member of the police), to deal with logistic matters, namely money and uniforms.
10 McBride then contacted, in the presence of Mbata, two officials from the American and Cuban embassies, namely Louis and Coba, who promised, respectively, money and uniforms (including boots).
11 In October ’96 co-accused Alexandre began supplying weapons to Winnie, namely bombs, AKM-47s and Makarov pistols, which were offloaded at her house.
12 Due to the fact that Alexandre did not speak English, Vuzi was always present at the meetings between him and Winnie, acting as an interpreter.
13 On the 30th September 1997, Alexandre made the last transaction with Winnie with a consigment of 30 bombs, having received for that 100 000 rands.
14 In January ’98, Vuzi travelled to Mozambique (the second day) and contacted Alexandre, telling him that there were some ”boers” who needed weapons.
15 On the 28th of the same month, Robert McBride travelled to Mozambique with Vuzi and met co-accused Alexandre. At the time Robert stated: ”It was us who sent Vuzi,” talking to Alexandre.
16 They agreed on the 20th of February (’98) that Robert and Vuzi would come to Mozambique to pay 2 500 US dollars for the purchase of 50 AKM-47s and 100 Makarovs. They in fact arrived there, but they did not find Alexandre, who in the meantime had travelled to Sofala.
17 They left the money with his wife and wrote a small note (page 50).
18 On the 7th of March they returned again to Maputo with the intention of taking the weapons. Once in Maputo, they proceeded to Inhambane on the 8th with the intention of renting a house and a boat to carry the weapons. To this effect they asked for the assistance of Vuzi’s uncle, Csar Dias, whom they told that the weapons were destined for Portugal.
19 On the 9th they returned to Maputo and at about 15h00 they contacted Alexandre. Vuzi Mbata entered Alexandre’s house to take the weapons and was arrested. Robert McBride fled and was arrested at the Ressano Garcia border.
20 With their conduct the co-accused committed jointly the crime of acquisition, ceding, alienation, possession and use of prohibited weapons in terms of article 253 CP, with regards to law/10/87.
Against the accused I therefore present this procedure, which upon its reception I request an inquiry, for which I am promoting the effecting of the following procedures:
To hear Mr Massango, general of the FADM.
To hear the officials of the American and Cuban embassies, namely Louis and Coba.
Any other proceedings which may be deemed necessary.
Proof of the papers.
Maputo, 16 April 1998
Signature illegible