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Thatcher appears in South African court

Mark Thatcher - South African court appearance
Mark Thatcher - South African court appearance

The son of the former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has appeared before a South African court following allegations that he was involved in plotting a coup to overthrow the government in Equatorial Guinea.

The court ordered Mark Thatcher to remain in his Cape Town home until he pays a bank guarantee of $300,000 by 8 September.

Mr Thatcher, 51, is due to return to court in November to face the charges. He was not required to plead to specific charges and the case was remanded for further investigation.

A South African on trial for allegedly plotting a coup in Equatorial Guinea had admitted to meeting Mr Thatcher.

Nick du Toit, who faces a possible death sentence, told a court in the capital, Malabo, that his meeting with Mark Thatcher was purely to discuss a business deal.

Mr Du Toit said he had been introduced to Mr Thatcher by Simon Mann, a former member of British special forces, who is regarded as the leader of the plot.

14 suspected foreign mercenaries are currently on trial in Equatorial Guinea over the alleged plot to overthrow President Teodoro Nguema. 70 others have been detained in Zimbabwe.