S Africa weighs request from Equatorial Guinea to question Mark Thatcher

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2004

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) — South Africa's justice ministry began studying a request from Equatorial Guinea to question Mark Thatcher who has been charged here with bankrolling an alleged coup plot to topple the government in Malabo.

"The request is arriving in our office this morning," said justice ministry spokesman Kaizer Kganyago. "We still have to process it."

Equatorial Guinea on Friday asked South African authorities for permission to question the son of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher who was charged last Wednesday under South Africa's law barring mercenary activties.

The spokesman said it was difficult to say when a decision would be reached on allowing authorities from Equatorial Guinea to question Thatcher, adding that Justice Minister...