South African Government rejects Simon Mann’s Allegations of Complicity in Equatorial Guinea Coup Plot

Pretoria – Allegations by the British mercenary Simon Mann that the South African Government had given tacit support for a failed military coup in Equatorial Guinea in 2004 is as preposterous at it is laughable. We reiterate our view that Simon Mann must bear the consequences of his own actions.

South Africa is a signatory to a number of protocols of the African Union and the UN prohibiting the unconstitutional transfer of power through among others a resort to mercenary activities to bring about such political changes.

Accordingly, the South African Government has enacted the Foreign Military Assistance Act which expressly prohibits the involvement of South Africans in military activities outside the borders of our country without due authorisation.

In this regard, South Africa will never, tacitly or expressly support the use of mercenaries to bring about fundamental political changes in any country in our continent or elsewhere in the world including Equatorial Guinea.

Those like  Simon Mann and his ilk must fully understand that the days of military coups are indeed over and those implicated in such activities will indeed face the full might of the laws of the countries of our continent.

South Africa will continue to strengthen and consolidate its sound diplomatic relations with the government of Equatorial Guinea which have resulted in the signing of a number of bilateral co-operation agreements in the fields of minerals and energy, agriculture as well as infrastructure development.

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

19 June 2008