A group of 70 suspected mercenaries held in Zimbabwe on charges of plotting a coup in Equatorial Guinea are proceeding with an application to take the South African government to court, a lawyer said on Wednesday.
The men had given President Thabo Mbeki’s office 24 hours to respond to a request to either seek their extradition to South Africa or ensure they were not handed over for trial in Equatorial Guinea.
”We did not hear from the president’s office so we are proceeding with a court application,” said lawyer Alwyn Griebenow.
”The application will probably be heard next Tuesday in the Pretoria High Court,” he said.
The government was sent an official letter on Monday evening giving it 24 hours to respond to the request or face court action.
The alleged mercenaries were arrested at Harare International airport two months ago when they landed to refuel and pick up military equipment. They were all travelling on South African passports.
The men are being held in a Harare jail. Zimbabwean authorities claim they were on their way to join 15 suspected mercenaries arrested in Equatorial Guinea.
The men are accused of planning to overthrow Equatorial Guinea’s leader Teodoro Obiang Nguema.
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe earlier this month held talks with Obiang after which an official said that Mugabe had agreed to hand over the men for trial and a possible death sentence in Equatorial Guinea.
There has not however been any official statement from the Zimbabwe government about extradition of the 70 men.
Mbeki’s spokesperson Bheki Khumalo said the papers had been received and a statement would be released later on Wednesday. – Sapa