Cops to study 'secret file'

2003-11-17 11:50

Pretoria - Counsel for the police obtained permission from the Boeremag treason trial judge on Monday to study an alleged secret informer file compiled on the strength of information supplied by police spy Johannes Coenrad Smit.

Senior advocate Bert Bam, appearing for the SAPS, told Judge Eben Jordaan the police intended opposing an application by the defence for access to the file, but needed insight into the documents in order to present sensible argument.

The defence launched an application for access to the file when it appeared that Smit's statement and evidence had been compiled out of reports written by superintendent Louis Pretorius, Smit's police handler.

The originals of several documents handed in as evidence also appeared to form part of the file.

Smit earlier testified he had regularly reported to Pretorius while he infiltrated the inner circle of the Boeremag and allegedly became party to a violent coup plot.

Judge Eben Jordaan altered an earlier order that the file be secured by the registrar of the Pretoria High Court, ordering that the registrar must supply the police with a copy of the file.

Bernard Bantjes, appearing for accused Jurie Vermeulen, on Monday bitterly complained about the conduct of uniformed police officers in court on Friday, when advocates were physically prevented from consulting with their clients.

"About ten minutes after the court adjourned, defence counsel was physically prevented from seeing their clients in the court cells. The clients of two of the advocates, who were consulting with them inside the court, were simply removed from the court.

"Our clients were chased around like sheep after the incident. Senior officers in the court gave orders that we should be allowed to consult, but their orders were simply ignored by junior, uniformed officers. They did not even want to give their names to Senior Superintendent Tollie Vreugdenburg."

Senior Superintendent Louis Bester was even forced to contact Commissioner (Andre) Pruis to intervene. It is unsavoury, uncomfortable and prejudicial for our clients. Hardly a day goes by when we don't have complaints," he said.

Judge Jordaan remarked that the daily complaints had become an "overture" to every day's proceedings.

Daan Mostert, appearing for Adriaan van Wyk, put it on record that a machine gun had been pushed into his client's face and that he had advised Van Wyk to lay a complaint.

Rudi Lubbe, for the accused Tom Vorster, said he and the accused's wives had often walked into the barrel of a machine gun in court.

"On Friday I counted 21 policemen armed with machine guns in court. Some of them were on automatic. I'm wondering if this show of power is really necessary when the court is so heavily guarded outside already," he said.

The State indicated that a meeting had been arranged with the National Police Commissioner about Friday's incident.

The trial continues.

- SAPA