Should South African pilot Brent Smyth be convicted of immigration transgressions in Zimbabwe, he may have to pay a fine of only R53, his employer, Wessel van den Bergh, said on Wednesday.
Briefing the media at Grand Central Airport in Midrand, ATS Helicopters CEO Van den Bergh said according to Smyth a fine of Z$200 000 — roughly R53 — was ”the worst-case scenario”.
”When you think about that, it’s almost laughable,” said Van den Bergh.
Smyth (31) is expected to hear a judge’s ruling in a Harare court about 11am on Thursday and Van den Bergh was hopeful that no further charges would be brought against him.
Smyth was arrested last week for alleged fraud and immigration transgressions as he was preparing to ferry Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai to election rallies.
The fraud allegations, which were dismissed on Friday last week, relate to a hotel booking that was made for Smyth, but not in his name.
Smyth’s permit to be in the country had also expired.
”According to them he overstayed his permit. He was arrested before he could extend his permit that morning [Tuesday],” Van den Bergh said.
He said Smyth was manhandled and AK47s had been pointed at him. According to Van den Bergh he had not been injured. Smyth is currently out on bail and in the custody of the South African consulate.
His mother, Danielle, and his fiancée, Drieksie Janse van Rensburg, said Smyth was ”very positive” and was hoping he would return home to South Africa soon.
”He’s been very positive throughout the whole situation. He’s obvious rattled, though,” said Janse van Rensburg, adding that she had spoken to him on the phone a number of times.
Danielle, who flew into South Africa from her home in Hong Kong on Tuesday, said she was ”very concerned.
”His dad and myself are just hoping that he will be released.”
She said the Chinese, British and South African governments had all been very supportive.
Smyth was born in South Africa, grew up in Hong Kong and also holds a British passport. He entered the country on his South African passport.
Van den Bergh said he felt Smyth’s arrest was to further a political agenda, to which he had no affiliation. He also said it was laughable that Smyth could possibly be considered a spy.
”He is a pawn to further someone else’s political agenda.”
His mother agreed that Smyth was apolitical. ”With all respect, he probably doesn’t even know how to spell Mr Mugabe’s name. He is so apolitical and very laid back.”
It was not known if Smyth, when released, would be allowed to fly the confiscated helicopter back to the country.
”It is devastating for me, for the company, to have a R3-million helicopter standing idle,” Van den Bergh said. — Sapa