Reply #15: SA in secret talks over 'mercenary' transfer

[Snazzy]

(Caption: Mann in middle)

SA in secret talks over 'mercenary' transfer


By Agencies
Last updated: 07/13/2004 07:54:18
A DEFENCE lawyer for the 70 alleged mercenaries detained in Zimbabwe accused the South African government on Monday of conducting secret talks with UK lawyers to help transfer team leader, Simon Mann, to England.

"I have no proof but I was told that Mann's legal team did not want to go ahead with the Constitutional Court (appeal) case against the South African government as they felt it would piss off certain government officials in South Africa," said attorney Alwyn Griebenow. He said he would officially be withdrawing as Mann's defence lawyer when the trial resumed on July 21 in Zimbabwe.

He was told on Friday that Mann's family had appointed US attorney Rebecca Gaskill to lead his defence. She would be backed up by legal representatives in the UK as well as another team in Harare.

The UK group reportedly includes Mann's brother, Edward, an insurance litigator who has engaged a British barrister.

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http://www.newzimbabwe.com/pages/plane37.11269.html