Embassy officials granted access to SA pilot

The Department of Foreign Affairs says embassy officials have been granted consular access to the pilot arrested in Zimbabwe as he was about to ferry Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai to election rallies.

Spokesperson, Ronnie Mamoepa says: "We have through our embassy in Harare requested consular access to the pilot, which has now been granted by Zimbabwean authorities." Brent Smyth and three other people were arrested at Charles Prince airport outside Harare yesterday morning, in an incident which the MDC believes will hamper Tsvangirai's ability to lobby voters ahead of elections on Saturday.

Mamoepa said they were in contact with Smyth's employer – ATS aviation services -- and would offer full consular assistance to Smyth, after establishing that he is South African. They would also continue trying to find out why he was detained.

Smyth sent an SMS to his employer ATS aviation services saying he had been detained and taken into custody at Harare central police station.
- Sapa