Zimbabwe: Chinese arms ships leaves South Africa

AAP reports A Chinese ship carrying arms to Zimbabwe has left South African waters after a court refused to allow the weapons to be transported across South Africa.

The An Yue Jiang had been at anchor off Durban on South Africa's Indian Ocean coast since Monday, turning into a flashpoint for trade unions and others critical of President Thabo Mbeki's quiet diplomacy toward Zimbabwe.

The 300,000-strong South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) refused to unload the weapons because of concerns Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's government might use them against opponents in the post-election stalemate.

Several hours after Durban High Court Judge Kate Pillay gave her ruling the ship lifted anchor and left, SAPA news agency said, citing sources that requested anonymity.
It was not clear where it was going.

Pillay issued her ruling after an Anglican bishop and another activist filed an application asking the court to block the arms in a politically charged case that has raised scrutiny of South Africa's policy on Zimbabwe.

Related Article: Arms ship leaves S Africa after ruling (SBS World News - AAP)

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