South Africa has approved a request by Equatorial Guinea to question Mark Thatcher (51).
The son of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was arrested last month in Cape Town on suspicion of financing a coup plot in Equatorial Guinea.
Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla approved the request at a meeting with a visiting team of Equatorial Guinean investigators today, a Justice Ministry spokesman said.
Mr Thatcher was arrested in Cape Town on August 25th on suspicion of involvement with what police said was a coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea, sub-Saharan Africa's third-largest oil producer.
He has denied any involvement in the plot, which news reports say has prompted investigators to look at a number of figures in London high society.
He has posted a $300,000 bail and is under orders to remain in the Cape Town area pending a November 25th court appearance.
Under South African law, Equatorial Guinea's questions would be submitted to a magistrate in Cape Town who would then subpoena Mr Thatcher to answer them - probably in open court - the Justice Ministry spokesman said.
The Equatorial Guineans would be permitted to observe the proceedings, but not ask questions directly, he said.