Some S. Africans thought 'coup' in islands was duty

December 7, 1981

Some of the South Africans involved in the abortive coup attempt in the Seychelles believed they had been called up for special military service to their country, the South African chief of police, Lt. Gen. Coetzee, told the Johannesburg Sunday Times Dec. 6. He said others knew the government was not involved.

The general said some of the men were former members of South Africa's military and reservists. He repeated government assurances that South Africa was unaware of the Seychelles action until it was over. See Monitor, Page 8.