OWN CORRESPONDENT, Cape Town | Monday 4.30pm.
SWISS journalist Jean-Phillipe Ceppi, arrested last week for possession of a “secret” military document, was released from custody on Monday when all charges against him were withdrawn in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court.
Ceppi’s lawyer Richard Rosenthal said afterwards that Attorney General Frank Kahn dropped the charges after it was shown that the document in Ceppi’s possession was released to journalists during a Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearing last year. Rosenthal said it remains to be seen whether Ceppi will institute any civil action for unlawful arrest. Ceppi said he will issue a statement later.
Swiss ambassador Robert Mayor said he is “very, very pleased” that the charges have been dropped. He said he did not think the incident will affect relations between South Africa and Switzerland.
Meanwhile, SABC radio reports that the TRC has admitted handing over a “secret” document to Ceppi. TRC spokesman Mdu Lembede said the commission believed the information contained in the document to be no longer classified. — AFP