Mugabe grants Mbeki request for prisoner to be freed

• SA 'mercenary' dies in Zim jail

• Ex-SAS man gets 7 years in Zimbabwe

• Mann: A man in need of 'major clout'

• Equatorial Guinea coup trial mirrors novel

• Freed 'mercenaries' claim they were tortured

• Ex-SAS man guilty of weapons charges

• Thatcher busted over coup funding claims, planned to flee

• Zim won't send 'mercenaries' to E Guinea

• Alleged mercenaries 'just pawns' - lawyers

• 'Mercenary' trial nears end

• Judge to hand down judgements

• Ex-SAS officer pleads guilty to weapons charges

• Zim 69 plead guilty to lesser charges

• SA in secret talks over Mann

• Zim 70 to face trial in July

• Mugabe barters mercenaries for oil

• 'Mercenaries' planned jail escape

• 'Mercenary' plane seized in Zimbabwe

• Mugabe officials had deal with mercenaries

• South Africa, Zim trained mercenaries

By Agencies

A SOUTH African convicted in 1989 would be released on humanitarian grounds by the Zimbabwe authorities on Thursday, a foreign affairs statement said on Wednesday.

Riaan Schutte would be released into the care of the South African ambassador to Zimbabwe Jerry Ndou, Cassie Aucamp and family members before returning to South Africa.

The decision to release Schutte follows representations made to President Robert Mugabe by President Thabo Mbeki earlier this year.

Schutte, who served 15 years in prison, would be released from Chikurubi prison due to illness.

Zimbabwe's foreign minister, Stan Mudenge, on Tuesday advised foreign affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma of the decision to release Schutte.

Said SA foreign affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa: "The release from prison of Schutte underlines the strength of diplomatic relations between South Africa and Zimbabwe and the successes that can be made through the policy of quiet diplomacy.

"The South African government extends its gratitude to President Robert Mugabe, the government and people of Zimbabwe for Schutte's early release."
Sapa

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