adminwas the ring-leader in the plot to overthrow DRC president (Kabila). He was arrested in Cape Town on Friday and we are making arrangements for him to be moved to Pretoria where he will be charged with the same charges the other 19 men are facing,” said Captain Paul Ramoloko.
On Friday, police said they were still searching for two men who were part of a group accused of plotting to overthrow Kabila.
A group of 19 alleged rebels from the DRC, which included a US citizen, appeared in the Pretoria Regional Court on Thursday to face charges under the Foreign Military Assistance Act.
They were arrested in Limpopo on Tuesday after months of investigation.
The men were not asked to enter pleas and were ordered to return to court on February 14.
The DRC was recently attacked by militants thought to have the backing of neighbouring Rwanda.
The DRC’s mineral-rich east has been unstable and often engulfed by fighting since a 1994 genocide in Rwanda.
The ring leader would appear in the Pretoria Regional Court next week.
More rebels are believed to be still hiding in South Africa although a successful operation has crushed a group seeking military training in South Africa to overthrow the DRC government, authorities said on Friday.
After months of investigation, South African police launched a crackdown on Tuesday, arresting 19 DRC rebels in the Limpopo Province for allegedly trying to overthrow the DRC government.
The group came to South Africa to receive specialised military training to overthrow the DRC government, according to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
It remains unknown how many DRC rebels have come to South Africa, but South African police had said at least two more rebels were on the run after the operation.
“Indications are they might still be in the country; law enforcement authorities are searching for them,” said police spokesperson Brigadier Lindela Mashigo.
The DRC is currently fighting various rebel groups who claim that the incumbent government reneged on their earlier agreement they signed for democratic reform.
Mashigo said the South African Police Service’s Counter Terrorism Unit was involved in an intelligence collection initiative focusing on the alleged rebel activities.
On Thursday, the 19 suspects, one of them a US citizen, appeared in the Pretoria Regional Court to face charges under the Foreign Military Assistance Act.
The South African government has repeatedly said it is opposed to any move to overthrow a government through armed force. – Sapa/Xinhua.
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