The Presidency says it will do its best to keep details of when and where four South African mercenaries will return to the country secret.

Earlier this week Equatorial Guinea pardoned the four along with Briton Simon Mann for their role in an attempted coup in 2004.

Mann has flown back to the UK but presidency officials say they are protecting Nick du Toit, Sergio Cardoso, Jose Sundays and George Alerson from the media.

Officials say a press briefing about their release will be organised when government feels the time is right.

The Justice Ministry said the four convicted mercenaries would not be prosecuted on home soil despite contravening Africa’s Algeria Declaration against illegal political overthrows.