SA pilot released in Zim
Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 9:10 pm
SA pilot released in Zim2008-3-31 20:34Johannesburg -
South African helicopter pilot Brett Smyth, who was arrested in Zimbabwe last week, was released on Monday until his next court appearance in Harare, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said.
Roy Bennett, treasurer-general of the Zimbabwean opposition party, told Sapa he believed Smyth would be back in South Africa soon.
The verdict in his case would be given on Tuesday, Bennett said.
"He is with his family and friends in Harare at the moment and will appear in court tomorrow (Tuesday)."
Smyth was released after his legal counsel, Innocent Chagonda, asked for the charges against him to be dismissed.
During an appearance in court on Monday, he was charged in terms of the Immigration Act for overstaying his welcome in the country.
Smyth was initially arrested on fraud charges as he was preparing to ferry MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai to election rallies.
The charges were withdrawn on Thursday, after the state failed to bring the case in court within 48 hours, as stipulated by Zimbabwean law.
South African helicopter pilot Brett Smyth, who was arrested in Zimbabwe last week, was released on Monday until his next court appearance in Harare, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said.
Roy Bennett, treasurer-general of the Zimbabwean opposition party, told Sapa he believed Smyth would be back in South Africa soon.
The verdict in his case would be given on Tuesday, Bennett said.
"He is with his family and friends in Harare at the moment and will appear in court tomorrow (Tuesday)."
Smyth was released after his legal counsel, Innocent Chagonda, asked for the charges against him to be dismissed.
During an appearance in court on Monday, he was charged in terms of the Immigration Act for overstaying his welcome in the country.
Smyth was initially arrested on fraud charges as he was preparing to ferry MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai to election rallies.
The charges were withdrawn on Thursday, after the state failed to bring the case in court within 48 hours, as stipulated by Zimbabwean law.
