House arrest for Boeremag man

2003-07-18 18:44

Pretoria - There was no reason to punish an elderly alleged Boeremag member by forcing him to remain in jail for the next four years, a High Court Judge said on Friday.

Judge Fanie Mynhardt granted R10 000 bail to Frederick Hendricus Boltman, 61, a retired insurance broker and money lender of Potgietersrus, on condition he remained under house arrest between 20:00 and 06:00 every day, that he did not contact State witnesses, did not leave the Pretoria area without written permission and did not move house without prior notice.

Although the State rejected Boltman's claim that he was in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, Judge Mynhardt said it was a "neutral factor" and Boltman could be treated to slow the advance of the disease.

The State wanted a two-week postponement to have further tests done on Boltman to see if he in fact suffered from Alzheimer's.

The Judge said it was also not necessary for him to determine how strong the State's case was against Boltman, but is was clear that there allegations that carried sufficient weight for him to provide answers.

The State alleged Boltman and 21 other alleged Boeremag members had conspired to overthrow the government and that Boltman had rented a warehouse and moved a rented car, which was to have been used for car bombs, as part of the conspiracy.

The pensioner, however, said while he was a friend of one of the alleged Boeremag leaders, Dr Lets Pretorius and was godfather to his son, who was also an accused, he had never been aware of any conspiracy and had rented the warehouse and moved the car under the impression that it was for a courier business.

Judge Mynhardt said Boltman's friendship with the Pretorius family contributed nothing to his involvement in the crimes he was accused of.

He said it was common cause that Boltman suffered from high blood pressure and depression, for which he was receiving medication and that he had a hearing problem. The State had not proved that he would be a danger to the state authority or the community if he was released on bail.

The fact that he had offered almost his entire yearly pension for bail and was prepared to be placed under house arrest and that his son was prepared to house him and pay for his medical treatment proved their bona fides and showed that he would stand his trial, Judge Mynhardt said.

Boltman and the other accused have pleaded not guilty to charges ranging from treason to terrorism and murder. Their trial is set to resume on August 4.

Former state president FW de Klerk, who was summonsed to testify in the trial, will bring an urgent application to prevent him from testifying, in the High Court on Tuesday next week.

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

- SAPA