McBride will know fate soon

JOHANNESBURG -- Detained South African foreign affairs official Robert McBride will know his fate by Monday, his wife Paula said yesterday.

Mr McBride was arrested in Mozambique on March 9 with Vusi Mbatha and detained for the maximum time allowable while Mozambican officials investigated illegal arms dealing allegations.

Reacting to speculation that he may be released today, Mrs McBride, a lawyer, said: "The deadline for the judge to make a decision on whether or not to charge is Monday but it could happen before that.

''Under Mozambican law, a judge was presented with a charge sheet and has eight days to decide on their future.