DRC Rebel kingpin nabbed in Cape Town

The kingpin behind the plot to overthrow Democratic Republic of the Congo President Joseph Kabila has been arrested in Cape Town, the Hawks say.

"We've arrested the man who was the ringleader in the plot to overthrow DRC president. He was arrested in Cape Town on Friday and we are making arrangements for him to be moved to Pretoria where he will be charged with the same charges the other 19 men are facing," said Captain Paul Ramoloko.

On Friday, police said they were still searching for two men who were part of a group accused of plotting to overthrow Kabila.

A group of 19 alleged rebels from the DRC, which included a United States citizen, appeared in the Pretoria Regional Court on Thursday to face charges under the Foreign Military Assistance Act.

They were arrested in Limpopo on Tuesday after months of investigation.

The men were not asked to enter pleas and were ordered to return to court on February 14.

The DRC was recently attacked by militants thought to have the backing of neighbouring Rwanda.

The DRC's mineral-rich east has been unstable and often engulfed by fighting since a 1994 genocide in Rwanda.

The ring leader would appear in the Pretoria Regional Court next week.