by Jerome Cartillier
JOHANNESBURG, Aug 28 (AFP) - Two suspected mercenaries who were acquitted in Zimbabwe of coup plotting charges returned home to South Africa on Saturday to face new charges in connection with an alleged putsch in oil-rich Equatorial Guinea.
South Africans Harry Carlse and Lourens Horn said they will turn themselves in to authorities in Pretoria on Monday to face charges of violating South Africa's Foreign Military Assistance Act barring mercenary activities.
Looking tired but nevertheless relieved, the two men arrived in Johannesburg, nearly six months after their arrest in Harare along with 68 other alleged soldiers of fortune during the stopover of their plane to pick up weapons.
After being welcomed by family and friends at Johannesburg international airport, Carlse and Horn told reporters they were beaten and mistreated at Harare's maximum-security Chikurubi prison where they were detained since their arrest on March 7.
"They beat us up for the first three weeks before we got access to our lawyers," said Carlse, who was dressed in jeans and said he was filled with "happiness and relief" to be back in South Africa.
"There was physical torture as well as mental torture," said Horn.
"Conditions are very bad in Chikurubi. Food is a problem, water is a problem," he told reporters.
A Zimbabwe court on Friday handed down a guilty verdict for the alleged mastermind of the coup plot, Briton Simon Mann, but 66 other suspected mercenaries including Carlse and Horn were acquitted on charges of attempting to illegally purchase weapons.
Mann, a former member of Britain's crack Special Air Services (SAS) military unit, is to face sentencing on September 10. The prosecution is seeking a sentence of up to 10 years.
"Simon realises that he will receive some sort of punishment and spend some more time in jail. He is prepared for that," said lawyer Alwyn Griebenow, who is representing the 70 men.
Griebenow also said that Carlse and Horn would be reporting to South African investigators early Monday to face charges of engaging in illegal mercenary activities.
The 70 men contend that the weapons were to be used to guard a mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo but authorities in Harare and Malabo say they were on their way to Equatorial Guinea to topple veteran President Teodoro Obiang Nguema.
A total of 19 men including eight South Africans and six Armenians are on trial in Malabo, accused of forming an advance party for the 'Harare 70' who allegedly planned to pave the way for a takeover by opposition leader Severo Moto, who is living in exile in Madrid.
A total of 67 men including the three-member crew who flew the plane into Harare still face penalties for pleading guilty to minor charges. They too await sentencing next month.
"We are very happy. We are all very relieved and I am sure that the rest of the guys will follow pretty soon," said Carlse's brother, Jerry.