Lawyers for the defence intend to produce evidence that some of the mercenaries accused of plotting to overthrow the government of Equatorial Guinea have bought weapons from Zimbabwe in the past. The defence team of the 70 men arrested in Harare in March will contest all the charges against them — including violations of Zimbabwean security, firearms, immigration and aviation laws.
Former Mail & Guardian journalist Farouk Chothia and his Cameroonian colleague Ange Ngu Thomas were still under house arrest in Limbe, Cameroon, on Thursday. Chothia, a producer for the BBC, was detained on Sunday together with BBC reporter Ngu Thomas on accusations of spying.
Gauteng housing minister Nomvula Mokonyane on Monday urged residents of the troubled Diepsloot township north of Johannesburg not to hamper the development of houses at the settlement. She said the recent violence at the township is affecting the government’s plans to provide adequate housing on time.