'Boeremag duo' had more plans

2007-01-29 14:55

Pretoria - A document found with two recaptured alleged Boeremag members contained "further coup and escape plans", the Pretoria High Court heard on Monday.

Prosecutor Paul Fick revealed the existence of the document, which was handed to defence counsel Piet Pistorius.

Fick said it contained further plans in connection with a coup and an escape plan, but asked for the contents to remain secret.

Herman van Rooyen and Rudi Gouws appeared in court for the first time after some eight months on the run from police. Sun-tanned and thinner, both wore shorts with casual shirts. They were in shackles.

Pair evaded arrest for eight months

It was the pair's second stint on the run, and Fick applied for them to remain in shackles for the rest of the trial.

He said they managed to escape from the High Court, despite a strong police presence. The pair clearly had help outside as they succeeded in evading arrest for eight months, said Fick.

Both were armed when they were finally caught on January 22, and civilians were now being charged with assisting them.

Pistorius said he had instructions not only to oppose the application, but would also ask the court for the two to be moved back into the same section as the other Boeremag accused at C-Max prison.

He said a court order in connection with their incarceration at C-Max was still in force.

But they were presently being held in another section at the top security prison with sentenced prisoners, where they were kept in solitary confinement for 23 hours per day.

The two men's attorney, Paul Kruger, told reporters Van Rooyen had told him the "secret" document contained a conclusion that a violent overthrow of the government was at this stage not an option.

Gruesome scenes of attacks

Kruger read out a statement in which Van Rooyen and Gouws expressed their "deepest appreciation" for the love and prayers of their families and "struggle-companions".

"As farmers who were always involved in the safeguarding of our community, we came across gruesome scenes of attacks and murders on our neighbours and friends," the statement read.

"As young people, we continue however to believe that there is hope, and we extend the hand of friendship to everyone, black and white, who acknowledges that the Boers are native to Africa and that the same rights are vested in them than in any other African people - also the right to govern themselves in our own fatherland."

The trial continues.

- SAPA