Boeremag wrangle continues
2003-08-24 12:51
Pretoria - More pre-trial applications are expected to be brought in the Pretoria High Court on Monday by defence attorneys for the 22 Boeremag treason accused.
The state had hoped to call its first witness, but defence lawyers indicated on Friday they would bring several applications seeking to rectify what they claimed were violations of their clients' human rights.
Three other in limine or pre-trial applications have already been dismissed by judge Eben Jordaan.
One was for the recusal of chief prosecutor Paul Fick, SC, another for the trial of three of the accused to be separated from that of the other 19, while the third related to a special plea by 13 of the men that the court had no jurisdiction over them.
The trial was scheduled to have started in May, but has been delayed by wrangling over legal aid and for the matters in limine to be adjudicated.
The next batch of applications would relate to claims by some of the men that they were being tormented by "black" music played in jail, that they were inadequately fed, and that authorities had intercepted privileged information pertaining to the trial.
Jordaan was informed on Friday of at least six pending applications to resolve these matters before the trial could begin.
One of the men claimed that his former lawyer had given the state all documents pertaining to their consultations.
Others complained that bugging devices had been found in prison, and that authorities had confiscated privileged documents from their cells.
The 22 men stand accused of plotting to overthrow the government as members of the rightwing Boeremag organisation with the aim of declaring a "Boer" republic.
They face 42 charges, including murder, attempted murder, high treason, and a range of violations of arms, ammunition and explosives laws.
- SAPA