'I walked out, but came back'
2003-10-22 21:30
Pretoria - An alleged Boeremag member told a Pretoria High Court on Wednesday that on two occasions he could have escaped from Pretoria's C-Max prison.
Adriaan van Wyk, 38, said at his bail application that "I will stand trial".
By standing trial, Van Wyk, one of 22 men accused of high treason, said it was his only chance of clearing his name.
He said that the first incident happened after he was being driven back to prison following a court appearance. He said a police officer left his R5 rifle on the seat next to Van Wyk.
The second incident happened after a police inspector dropped him off at the reception area of the prison and drove off. Prison officers mistook him for a legal adviser and told him to leave the building.
"I walked out but came back. Much to the amazement of everyone," he said.
Van Wyk has repeatedly applied for bail, claiming health problems as the reason. He is a diabetic.
He said the prison did not cater to diabetics and that all he was fed was dry bread, raw eggs, milk powder and overripe fruit.
The department of correctional services denied this and said that Van Wyk got the standard diabetic diet.
Van Wyk also said that often he was not given his medication.