Zimbabwe seizes US plane with military gear, 64 men: minister

HARARE (AFP) Mar 08, 2004
Zimbabwean security authorities have impounded a US-registered aircraft that landed at the country's main international airport carrying military equipment and 64 men aboard suspected to be mercenaries, Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi announced Monday.

"A United States of America-registered Boeing 727-100 cargo plane was detained last (Sunday) night at about 1930 hours (1730 GMT) at Harare International Airport after its owners had made a false declaration of its cargo and crew," the minister told a news conference.

"The plane was actually carrying 64 suspected mercenaries of various nationalities," he said.

"Further investigations also revealed that on board the plane was military materiel."

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