Boeremag: Coins decide fate
2004-08-03 22:18
Pretoria - Alleged Boeremag members prayed before flipping two coins to decide whether two suspected traitors should live or die, Pretoria High Court heard on Tuesday.
Accused turned State witness Henk van Zyl, who said he proposed killing the two, told the court two of his colleagues proposed they pray before deciding.
After prayers, one of them took out a small bag with two coins - a "J" and an "N" (for the Afrikaans Ja and Nee) carved out on either side of each.
The coins were tossed, one landing on a "J" and the other on an "N". It was accordingly decided to delay a final decision.
One of the suspected traitors, self-confessed police spy Johannes Coenraad Smit, later testified for the State in the Boeremag trial.
Van Zyl, 39, is the third witness to be called since the trial started more than a year ago.
The 22 trialists are facing 42 charges related to an alleged plot to overthrow the government - including treason, terrorism, sabotage, murder, and the possession of illegal arms, ammunition and explosives.
The hearing continues on Wednesday.
- SAPA