Release me, I have Alzheimer's

2003-07-17 19:06

Pretoria - A 61-year-old pensioner accused of plotting with the Boeremag to overthrow the government told the Pretoria High Court on Thursday he had Alzheimer's disease and other severe medical problems.

Frederick Hendricus Boltman, who has been in jail since his arrest in October last year, applied for bail before Judge Fanie Mynhardt.

The retired insurance broker and money lender said in an affidavit that his doctor of the past 20 years, fellow-accused Dr Lets Pretorius, had diagnosed him as being in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.

He also suffered from major depression and high blood pressure, for which he was using medication, and battled to follow court proceedings because he was almost deaf.

He said the specialised treatment he needed was not available in Pretoria's C-Max prison, where the Boeremag members were incarcerated, and he would be severely prejudiced if he was not released.

"My health is everything but good and there is an acute regression in my condition. The prognosis for my condition is apparently not good," he said.

Boltman was adamant that he had not attended any Boeremag meetings, or taken part in any of their activities.

He said he was not aware of any plot to overthrow the government and was not implicated in any wrongdoing by the accomplices the State wanted to call as witnesses.

He admitted he had rented a storage facility in Johannesburg, but said he had been under the impression it was to be used for a courier business, and knew nothing of the State's allegations that it was to have been used for manufacturing homemade weapons and ammunition.

Boltman said he was prepared to submit to house arrest and would move in with one of his sons if bail was granted. He was in the process of being divorced.

Prosecutor Pieter Luyt pointed out that the court only had a fellow accused's word for Boltman's condition at this stage.

He said numerous neurological tests would have to be done before a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease could be confirmed. But this would not change the State's decision to oppose bail, as the charges were very serious and Boltman had not proved any special circumstances to justify his release on bail.

The application was postponed to Friday afternoon to allow a State-appointed neurologist to do preliminary clinical tests and report to the court on Boltman's medical condition.

Boltman and 21 other alleged Boeremag members have pleaded not guilty on charges ranging from treason to terrorism and murder. Their trial is set to resume on August 4, when the defence said it intended calling former state president FW de Klerk as a witness.

De Klerk's application for an interdict against his subpoena is to be heard in the Pretoria High Court next Tuesday.

Thirteen of the accused are challenging the validity of the government and the legal system.

- SAPA