LAWYERS defending Mark Thatcher against charges he helped finance a coup attempt in oil-rich Equatorial Guinea yesterday challenged the legality of a South African government subpoena to question him.

Sir Mark Thatcher has arrived at a magistrates’ court in South Africa for a hearing on charges that he allegedly helped bankroll a coup attempt that failed in Equatorial Guinea.

BRITISH mercenary leader Simon Mann, with whom Mark Thatcher is allegedly involved in a coup plot, was jailed for seven years in Zimbabwe yesterday for conspiring to buy weapons.

British mercenary leader Simon Mann, a neighbour of Mark Thatcher, was jailed for seven years in Zimbabwe today for conspiring to buy weapons of war.

South African justice officials plan to subpoena Margaret Thatcher's son Mark to answer questions from Equatorial Guinea about his alleged role in a botched coup attempt in the oil-rich west African nation.

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.

Most of the 70 suspected mercenaries accused of participating in a foiled plot to overthrow the government in Equatorial Guinea were acquitted today of charges that they conspired to buy weapons from Zimbabwe’s state arms manufacturer.