Boeremag 'judge' stays in jail
2003-03-19 18:38
Pretoria - Dr Johan "Lets" Pretorius, the alleged "acting chief judge" of the Boeremag, is likely to spend at least the next few years behind bars.
Pretoria Regional magistrate Michiel de Kock turned down his bail application on Wednesday, saying he would probably try to evade his trial and influence witnesses.
The trial of Pretorius and 22 other alleged Boeremag members is set to start in the Pretoria High Court on May 18 and is expected to continue for three to four years.
The 23 are accused of plotting to overthrow the government.
In an affidavit submitted to court on Wednesday, Director Mark Hankel, a senior intelligence officer in the police, said the group continued to plan bomb attacks in the period just before and during the trial, particularly in Gauteng, North West, the Free State and Mpumalanga.
"... The Boeremag, including members currently incarcerated and awaiting trial, and members within the community and their associates, are continuing with their planning and activities to destabilise the country, attempt to overthrow the government and disrupt their trial by assassinating and discrediting key State witnesses and police officers."
Coup plan
During Operation Hopper IV last week, police had seized various documents, including one setting out the coup plan. In other papers found, state witnesses and police informers were identified and written directions given to certain target addresses.
Police confiscated maps of the Lohatla army battle school, "which... remains one of the primary targets of a Boeremag terrorist offensive, as well as maps of Pretoria Central, Wonderboom, Brits and the Rietvlei dam area".
A manual on how to improvise pyrotechnic devices was also found.
"... conscious attempts have been made by various individuals to procure components for improvised explosive devices and weapons. Targets have been identified and instructions given to execute such attacks," Hankel said.
'Acting chief judge'
According to earlier evidence by investigating officer Superintendent Johannes Vreugdenburg, Pretorius was the owner of a truck filled with arms and ammunition, medical equipment and food that was found in Lichtenburg in September last year.
He had the second highest rank in the Boeremag - that of two-castle commandant - and had once, as its "acting chief judge", sentenced two members to death. He had also threatened to "eliminate" two members who wanted to withdraw from the organisation, Vreugdenburg said.
De Kock said there was strong evidence against Pretorius.
It seemed as if he was trying to protect himself or others involved in the crimes.
The alleged coup plans could have led to massive violence, especially targeting black people. Releasing Pretorius on bail could endanger the lives of people or the public.
Pretorius' estate was worth R5.9m. The loss of R600 000, which he was willing to post as bail, would not prevent him from escaping. There were Boeremag cells across the country that could protect him.
Granting bail to Pretorius would also undermine the criminal justice system, De Kock ruled.
- SAPA