'Revolution' can start in C-Max

2003-03-11 21:11

Pretoria - The Pretoria Regional Court will hand down judgment next Wednesday in the bail application of Johan "Lets" Pretorius who was arrested in September last year for his alleged role in a rightwing plot to overthrow the government.

Pretorius, 56, brought the bail application on grounds that he needed to take care of his business interests and his medical practice in Mokopane.

His legal representative, Piet Pistorius, on Tuesday argued that his client was a man of integrity, a leader in his community, and of strong financial means.

He was not a transit robber or a rapist, but a man who stood accused of a plan to overthrow the government in terms of a "wide" charge.

"He will stand trial. He wants to stand trial so that he can prove his innocence," said Pistorius.

He argued the Pretoria High Court trial which was expected to start on May 19, would in all probability last three to four years.

Should his client not be granted bail he would have to await finalisation of the trial in Pretoria's C-Max prison, where he was presently being held.

Pistorius argued, despite the State saying it had a very strong case against his client, that its strength had not yet been tested.

Rightwing revolution

The State was relying on the statements of accomplices who had "jumped off the wagon and were quick" to make affidavits for the State.

"This is dangerous evidence that should be handled with care."

Arguing his client would not skip bail, he pointed out Pretorius' every move was watched while he was in C-Max. He believed the State had the capacity to similarly monitor his every move should he be released on bail, or placed under house arrest pending the outcome of the trial.

Pretorius already had access to a telephone in C-Max from which he could "organise a rightwing revolution if he wanted to".

Pistorius argued that Pretorius' continued detention so that the State could finalise its investigation into the coup plot was not a reason to deny his client his right to freedom.

The court heard on Monday that a number of people were still being sought in connection with the plot and the spate of bombings last year, and that the Boeremag had reorganised itself.

Pretorius' three sons - Kobus, 29, Wilhelm, 25, and Johan, 31, - were arrested in December in connection with the bombings.

Opposing bail, prosecutor Dries van Rensburg argued Pretorius held the second highest rank in the Boeremag.

Besides supporting the organisation financially and supplying medical equipment, he was also its acting judge.

Innocent civilians

In that capacity he had presided over two hearings in which two traitors were sentenced to death. Van Rensburg did not say whether the men were executed or not.

He argued that Pretorius had played an important part in the planning of the bombings, allegedly carried out by his sons. He was also part of a plan that would see more serious attacks being launched on "innocent civilians".

That plan had seen the purchase of ammunition, manufacture of explosives, manufacture of containers for the bombs, hiring of vehicles for car bombs and the identification of possible targets.

Pretorius, he argued, was a "fanatical" supporter of the Boeremag. He had given no indication to the court that he had distanced himself from the Boeremag or its activities.

He added that Pretorius would in all likelihood not stand trial, and involve himself in further crimes because he was regarded as a hero and martyr by his supporters.

There was also a possibility that he would disappear, as his sons and other accused had after his arrest, and make use of the network of safe houses and other facilities used by the Boeremag.

- SAPA