"Thatcher lawyers challenge Africa coup questioning"

South Africa's High Court will hear a challenge to a subpoena demanding Mark Thatcher answer questions from Equatorial Guinea about a suspected coup plot in the oil-rich country, his lawyer said.

"We have launched an application challenging the subpoena which requires (Thatcher) to go to the Wynberg magistrate court next week," Alan Bruce-Brand, a member of Mr Thatcher's legal team, told Reuters.

"We have suggested it (the subpoena) is invalid and infringes on his constitutional right to a free trial in South Africa," he said.

Another of Mr Thatcher's lawyers said the application was due to be heard on September 21, the day before the planned questioning.

Equatorial Guinea has asked South Africa to put questions to Mr Thatcher as part of a widening investigation into an alleged plot to overthrow President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, Africa's third largest oil producer.

Full Article : abc.net.au