Date set for right-wing coup plot trial
|Published
Bloemfontein - The treason trial of two alleged right-wing plotters will start in the Bloemfontein High Court in November this year.
Magistrate Andries Schoeman transferred the case to the high court and postponed the trial to November 4 when Mark Trollip and Johan Prinsloo appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
Schoeman said the men would face charges of treason and conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism, as well as firearms and ammunition charges.
The State alleges the two men, in conjunction with others, were part of a group who planned “Die Slag van Mangaung” (The Battle of Mangaung) to eliminate the country's leaders.
A third accused, Martin Keevy, was on Friday again referred for observation at the Free State Psychiatric Complex.
Prosecutor Torie Pretorius told the court he would be evaluated by another doctor for another 30 days.
All charges against a fourth accused, Hein Boonzaaier, were dropped on Friday.
The State alleges Trollip and Prinsloo plotted to kill African National Congress leaders at the party's Mangaung elective conference in December 2012.
Pretorius said the men’s defense counsel would receive copies of the docket within a week.
Also handed in to court was the charge sheet against the two men.
In relation to the treason and conspiracy charges, the State alleges the men tried between July 2012 and December 2012 to overthrow the government.
They apparently tried to get hold of mortar bombs and firearms and ammunition to kill, among others, President Jacob Zuma, Cabinet members, and other ANC members in Mangaung.
The State alleges the men intended putting themselves, other people unknown to the State, and the “Boerevolk” in a position to govern South Africa.
The State attached a list of 36 witnesses who would testify in the trial.
Sapa