The lawyer for a South African diplomat, Robert McBride, says his client is considering taking legal action against South African journalists and policemen who'd accused him of gun-running in neighbouring Mozambique.

The lawyer, Jose Nascimento, told the BBC Mr McBride had been maliciously set up by people who appeared to have a grudge against him.

Mr McBride was arrested in March last year at the border between Mozambique and South Africa -- and charged with gunrunning and espionage.

He says he was working undercover to investigate arms-smuggling by criminal gangs. Mr McBride was released last September, and his lawyer says charges against him have now been dropped.

Mr McBride was a senior member of the military wing of the ANC during the anti-apartheid struggle.