Coup accused apply for discharge
2007-02-23 11:07
Pretoria - Eight men accused of involvement in an attempted coup in Equatorial Guinea will hear on Friday whether the Pretoria regional court accepts an application for their discharge.
The state closed its case against the men on Thursday and their defence teams brought an application asking that their clients be discharged.
Raymond Stanley Archer, Victor Dracula, Louis du Preez, Errol Harris, Mazanga Kashama, Neves Tomas Matias, Simon Morris Witherspoon, and Hendrik Jacobus Hamman are the accused.
"The state has not reached the required threshold of proof," advocate Margie Victor told the court on Thursday.
On Friday state advocate Torie Pretorius SC shot back saying he did more than prove that a coup had been planned, he also proved the surrounding circumstances.
He said the men had to answer to court about what they were doing on the plane to Equatorial Guinea.
"No constitutional democracy can send its citizens to go to another country and make an unconstitutional change, it's just not possible," he said about claims that the government gave approval for the coup.
Magistrate Peet Johnson will give his ruling later on Friday.
If he discharges the men they would be free to go, and if not the defence team should start their case.
- SAPA