The SA Police Explosives Unit confirmed on Wednesday that an uncleared Chinese vessel docked at the outer anchorage of the Port of Durban is carrying arms.

Customs revealed that the shipment was destined for Zimbabwe.

Inspector Nicholas Gunther of the SA Explosives Unit in Durban told Sapa the vessel -- called 'An Yue Jiang' -- was carrying a shipment of arms.

"We went there just now and they are not being allowed in," he said. "There was a problem with the documents they submitted and we have directed the matter to the Chief Inspector of Explosives in Pretoria, Senior Superintendent van Sittert and it may take days for them to get
clearance," said Gunther.

And if the vessel does not get clearance, it would have to leave.

Gunther explained that if, for example, the ship was carrying 500 containers and only one container had not been cleared, the vessel would sill be allowed to enter the port.

"They would be allowed to enter, offload those containers that have been cleared by the South African government and leave with those that had not been cleared."

The inspector added that a lot of the cargo onboard was destined for companies in South Africa.

Asked if he knew whether any was destined for Zimbabwe, he said he was not sure. "But if it was trans-shipment then it gets imported here and is sent by road or rail to neighbouring countries. We are not sure if that's
what they are doing," he said.

Leonard Hadebe, head of Durban Customs told Sapa: "We have confirmed that the shipment was headed for Zimbabawe. It arrived at the Durban Harbour on April 14.

"Right now the ship is awaiting clearance. If they are carrying any prohibited or illegal goods, they will be detained by customs," said Hadebe.

National Ports Authority spokesman Ricky Bhikraj confirmed that a vessel called 'An Yue Jiang' had entered the Port of Durban.

"We can confirm that there is an uncleared vessel (not cleared to enter port) by that name currently at the outer anchorage. The allegations are being handled by the various national security authorities," he said.

Noseweek editor Martin Welz earlier told Sapa: "The cargo ship was openly delivering a containment of arms for Zimbabwe."

Asked where he had obtained the information from, Welz said it was his own business.

Bhikraj, meanwhile, said the vessel had to follow procedures."There is a normal process for all ISPS (International Ship and Ports Security) vessels to be cleared to enter the port."

He said this vessel would now have to go through that process and that it could take quite some time before it was cleared.

Asked whether there had been arms on the ship, Bhikraj said: "We can't comment on whether or not there were arms on the vessel"

Dennis Abrio of the national branch of the SA Police Service said he would comment on the matter once he had details.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesman Superintendent Vincent Mdunge said he could not comment on the matter.