Envoy to check on condition of suspected mercenaries

South African authorities are concerned over the medical condition of seven suspected mercenaries held in Equatorial Guinea. The alleged soldiers of fortune were among 15 men arrested last week in the small but oil-rich country sandwiched between Cameroon and Gabon on the west coast of Africa, where authorities claimed the men were part of a conspiracy to overthrow President Teodoro Obiang Nguema. South African ambassador to Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, Samuel Monaisa, told IRIN Pretoria had been approached by the families of some of the alleged mercenaries, who claimed the men were ill and not being treated properly. Monaisa, who spoke to IRIN on Wednesday from Brazzaville in Congo, was on his way to Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, on a fact-finding mission. "Since they are South Africa citizens we have to offer some consular services, such as medical assistance," he said. Relatives of the men have offered to send a medical doctor to Equatorial Guinea as a man identified as "Bone" Boonzaaier, a former member of the South African Defence Force, is believed to be ill. "I am going to find out if the Equatorial Guinea authorities will allow the South African medical doctor to examine the men," Monaisa said. The envoy confirmed that several South Africans, including employees of multinationals based in Equatorial Guinea, were among the foreigners rounded up by the authorities. "In the confusion last week the Equatorial Guinea authorities held all the foreigners present in the country," Monaisa said. He had not received any information about their treatment, but added, "As far as I know they are no longer in custody." Brian Bruce, group executive chief of the construction company Murray and Roberts confirmed that three of his employees and another of a sub-contractor were among the foreigners detained by the authorities in Equatorial Guinea last week. "But they were released in a matter of hours following the intervention of both governments, and their passports were returned to them within 48 hours," he said. Monaisa explained that he had not been in touch with any of the South Africans, including the mercenaries held by the authorities and, hence, was not in position to comment on their condition. He dismissed speculation about the possible extradition of the seven alleged mercenaries, pointing out that the two governments did not have a related treaty in place.