Two more South Africans will be released from prison in Zimbabwe on humanitarian grounds due to ill health, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Friday.
Pius Kanjowa and Lenatu Eselumu were convicted in a trial relating to an alleged plot to overthrow the leadership of Equatorial Guinea earlier this year.
Departmental spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said the men will be released to South Africa’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, Jerry Ndou, and ”could possibly” be home by later on Friday.
This brings to three the number of South Africans released from prison in Zimbabwe this week.
On Thursday, Reon Schutte, who had served 12 years of a 26-year sentence for car theft, espionage and illegal possession of firearms, was released because he has prostate cancer.
Mamoepa attributed the release to strong diplomatic relations and ”quiet diplomacy” between the two countries. — Sapa