Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad Statement on the Impounded Plane in Harare

The South African Government has taken note of reports of an alleged US-registered Boeing 727-100 impounded by the Zimbabwean authorities on Sunday 7 March 2004.

The South African government is concerned at unconfirmed reports that some of the people on board may be South African nationals. In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains in close contact with South Africa's High Commissioner to Zimbabwe, Jerry Ndou to seek clarity on the circumstances surrounding this incident.

Should the allegations that those South Africans on board are involved in mercenary activities prove true, this would amount to a serious breach of the Foreign Military Assistance Act which expressly prohibits the involvement of South Africans in military activities outside South Africa without the due authorisation of the National Conventional Arms Control Committee.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853
Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
8 March 2004.