Cops 'raided' cell - evidence
2003-08-27 12:55
Pretoria - The first Boeremag treason trialist to take the stand in Pretoria High Court complained on Wednesday that police last year seized a privileged document from his cell.
Mike du Toit testified that the paper contained instructions from him and two fellow-accused, his brother, André, and Jacobus "Rooikoos" du Plessis, to their lawyers.
The trio contended the alleged confiscation amounted to an irreversible infringement of their constitutional rights. This meant they would not have a fair trial, the men argued in a document submitted to court.
Twenty-two alleged members of the rightwing Boeremag organisation stand accused of plotting to overthrow the government with the aim of declaring a "Boer" republic.
Cell inmates chased out into hall
They face 42 charges, including murder, attempted murder, treason, and a range of violations of arms, ammunition and explosives laws.
Du Toit testified on Wednesday that he repeatedly warned police the document was privileged. The police ignored this.
About 20:00 on October 28 last year, eight policemen entered his cell at Pretoria Local Prison, Du Toit told the court.
He and about 60 other inmates were chased out into the hall.
Police later called him back, and ordered him to unlock his possessions.
Du Toit said he kept the instructions with other documents in a wooden box with a special lock, and carried the key on a nylon string around his neck.
The trial continues.
ks
- SAPA