SA rejects E Guinea coup charge

Simon Mann (front) is on trial in Equatorial Guinea

South Africa has dismissed as "laughable" an accusation that it supported a failed coup in oil-rich Equatorial Guinea.

It was reacting to comments by British mercenary Simon Mann, who is on trial in Equatorial Guinea for his alleged role in the 2004 plot.

During a hearing this week, he said South Africa and Spain both "gave the green light" for the plot.

Spain, the former colonial power, has also denied any involvement.

South Africa's Department of Foreign Affairs said the charge was "as preposterous at it is laughable".

"We reiterate our view that Simon Mann must bear the consequences of his own actions," the statement said.

A Spanish foreign ministry official has also denied any involvement.

Simon Mann and his ilk must fully understand that the days of military coups are indeed over South Africa's Department of Foreign Affairs

Mann, a former SAS officer, was arrested four years ago with 64 others in Zimbabwe when they landed in a plane from South Africa.

Mann told a court in Equatorial Guinea's capital, Malabo, that it felt as though the coup attempt was an official operation.

He said that Sir Mark Thatcher, son of UK former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, was one of the plot's organisers and that London-based millionaire Eli Calil was "the boss".

Mr Calil and Sir Mark have both denied plotting a coup.

Sir Mark was fined in 2005 and received a suspended sentence in South Africa for unknowingly helping to finance it.

Mann and Sir Mark were neighbours in Cape Town.

Protocols

Eleven other men, including South African arms dealer Nick Du Toit, who testified that he was recruited by Mann, are already serving sentences in Equatorial Guinea in connection with the coup attempt.

Guinea prosecutors have called for Mann to serve 30 years in jail.

South Africa's Department of Foreign Affairs said the country was signatory to a number of UN and African Union protocols "prohibiting the unconstitutional transfer of power".

South Africa would never "tacitly or expressly support the use of mercenaries to bring about fundamental political changes in any country," it said.

"Simon Mann and his ilk must fully understand that the days of military coups are indeed over," the statement said.

South Africa has strict anti-mercenary laws.

Equatorial Guinea, an oil-rich former Spanish colony, has been ruled by President Teodoro Obiang since he seized power from his uncle in 1979.

His government has been accused of widespread human rights abuses and of ruthlessly suppressing political opposition.

Transparency International has put the tiny nation on its list of top 10 corrupt states.

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