Zimbabwe army on alert after 'mercenary' capture

THE Zimbabwean army was placed on full alert yesterday following the seizure of a US-registered cargo plane carrying 64 "suspected mercenaries" and military equipment from South Africa.

The Boeing 727-100 was detained at Harare's main airport on Sunday night after its owners allegedly made "a false declaration of its cargo and crew", said Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi.

"The plane was actually carrying 64 suspected mercenaries of various nationalities," Mr Mohadi said. "Further investigations also revealed that on board was military material."