Harmony chief in offshore mystery

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South Africa mining merger takes new twist as Swanepoel asks for accounts investigation

Terry Macalister
Monday February 28, 2005
The Guardian

Mystery last night surrounded a network of offshore bank accounts in the Isle of Man and Jersey that appear to be connected with Bernard Swanepoel, the chief executive of Harmony Gold, which is at the centre of a massive mining merger in South Africa.

The offshore accounts in his full name - Zacharias Bernardus Swanepoel - have been held by Barclays Bank in the Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey; Citibank in Jersey and the Isle of Man; and HSBC in the Isle of Man. They are attached to corresponding accounts in the Bahamas, Geneva and Paris according to papers seen by The Guardian.

Asked for an explanation for the accounts, a spokeswoman for Mr Swanepoel and Harmony confirmed that he did hold one offshore account and that was held "in line with all South African regulations".

She said the Harmony chief executive was unaware of any others but had asked his accountant to look into this. "He only has one account and he would welcome an investiga tion into this matter", said the Harmony spokeswoman.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,3604,1426818,00.html

ANY link to convicted felon Mark "Coup Plot" Thatcher - SA resident who owns a gold smelter there ?????????????