Thatcher's son arrested in S. Africa over coup plot

South African police arrested former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher's son Mark Wednesday on suspicion of involvement in a coup plot in Equatorial Guinea.

Makhosini Nkosi, spokesman for the Scorpions elite investigating unit, was quoted by the South African Press Association (SAPA) as saying Thatcher was arrested in Cape Town.

"The Scorpions have arrested the son of a prominent former British politician. We are investigating charges of contravening the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act," he said.

"This is in relation to the possible funding and logistical assistance in relation to the attempted coup in Equatorial Guinea. We have conducted a search and seizure operation at his home in Cape Town," he added.

Thatcher was expected to appear in the Wynberg Magistrate's Court later in the day.

There was no immediate indication that Thatcher faced extradition to Malabo, capital of Equatorial Guinea, to join eight South Africans, six Armenians and four Equatorial-Guineans currently on trial there for the alleged coup attempt in March, the SAPA said.

The alleged putsch mastermind, South African Nick du Toit, faces the death penalty and the others face lengthy terms of imprisonment. Another 70 men are on trial in Zimbabwe for offences there related to the alleged coup bid.

The SAPA said a British daily in July linked Thatcher with the leader of that group, Simon Mann.

The arrest comes on the same day as a visit to Cape Town by British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and four ministerial colleagues.

Straw was in the city for bilateral talks with his South African counterpart Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on Britain's African agenda and to help ease what was said to be strained relations between the two countries.

British High Commission spokesman Nick Sheppard said the arrest would not have an impact on Straw's visit, the SAPA said.

Dozens of suspected foreign mercenaries were arrested in March in Zimbabwe and Malabo over the alleged plot to topple President Teodoro Obiang Nguema.

Source: Xinhua