“There was nothing in life I could do without Jayde by my side,” the South African businessman said in his eulogy to his murdered wife.

More than 60 South Africans jailed in Zimbabwe last year for their involvement in a botched coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea are due to be released following a court decision to reduce their 12-month sentence.

South Africa is considering a request by Equatorial Guinea to question Mark Thatcher about his alleged involvement in a foiled coup plot in the oil-rich west African nation.

A former captain in the SAS, accused by Zimbabwe of leading 70 suspected mercenaries in a coup plot against Equatorial Guinea today admitted attempting to possess dangerous weapons and faces ten years in prison.

The head of the defence team for 70 suspected mercenaries accused of plotting a coup in Equatorial Guinea has withdrawn from the case.