Boeremag man fought spirits
2004-05-14 13:48
Pretoria - Millionaire farmer-cum-coup plotter Lourens du Plessis on Friday, May 14, told the Boeremag treason trial he did not think blacks were the problem in the country "because our fight is not against flesh and blood but against evil spirits in the air".
Du Plessis, who said he had undergone a religious change after being arrested for treason, referred to the Bible several times while being cross-examined by one of the defence advocates, Louisa van der Walt.
He admitted that a coup plan had never been mentioned at one of a series of meetings, but claimed it was a "secret agenda".
"Not everyone would have agreed with a coup. It's easier if you want to use people if they are already part of a security structure, such as a commando or neighbourhood watch."
He had encouraged people to join security structures during his speeches and told them to get their religion in order and that blacks were not the problem.
"I did not want to incite people to go out an pull a Barend Strydom trick. I wanted to incite their emotions to become involved, but wanted to keep them calm," he said.
Du Plessis admitted that a video about the prophesies of Boer prophet Siener van Rensburg had not incited anyone to violence and in fact took the form of a warning to people to turn to God.
The witness admitted that he had discussed the production of false money with a Roy Smit before he had even met alleged Boeremag leader Mike du Toit, whom he claimed had introduced him to the coup idea.
He had given R130 000 of his money to Smit to buy equipment, but said Smit had never been aware of his plans to finance the coup with false money.
In his speeches, Du Plessis had always referred to "foreign funds", although he had meant false money. People who attended the meetings would not have known about the false money.
Du Plessis was initially arrested on a charge of treason, but later decided to become a State witness in exchange for possible indemnity from prosecution.
The trial will continue on Monday.
- SAPA