DRC tones down coup claims

The Democratic Republic of the Congo officials have toned down talks of a foiled coup plot. South Africa’s ambassador to the DRC Sisa Ngombane says it seems that some of the men might be freed and others would simply be charged with offences such as working in the country without a permit. Nineteen South Africans were part of a group of 33 men, including Nigerians and Americans, who were arrested on Friday in connection with an alleged coup plot. The DRC authorities have indicated that the detainees were being held on allegations of destabilisation of government institutions. However, according to Ngombane the men appeared to have entered the DRC legally and no military equipment has been found in their possession.