Thatcher to be subpoenaed over coup plot

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.

A delegation from the attorney general’s office in Equatorial Guinea met senior justice and prosecution leaders in the capital, Pretoria, on today.

Their questions will be forwarded to the chief magistrate in Cape Town, where Thatcher is charged with contravening the Foreign Military Assistance Act, said Justice Ministry spokesman Kaizer Kganyago.

A local magistrate will then be instructed to subpoena Thatcher, who is free on bail, to answer the questions under oath, Kganyago said. It was not immediately clear how long the process would take.

Thatcher’s lawyers, who previously said he would likely be willing to meet with Equatorial Guinea’s prosecutors, said they would have to consider the request.

“All along I thought we would be dealing with it informally by having a sit-down,” said lawyer Peter Hodes.

Equatorial Guinea wants to question a number of prominent Britons about allegations they financed a plot to overthrow President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, the 25-year ruler of Africa’s third-largest oil producer.

A total of 88 people are in custody in South Africa, Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe in connection with the plot that authorities in the three countries say was foiled in March.

Thatcher’s lawyers say he is innocent and will cooperate with investigators. His next court appearance is scheduled for November 25.