Boeremag trial postponed

INLSA

Boeremag accused - Dirk Hanekom, Dr Johan Pretorius, Wilhelm Pretorius, Rudi Gouws and Tom Voster - in the dock. File Photo: Masi Losi.

Johannesburg - Judgment in the treason trial of a group of Afrikaner right-wingers was postponed in the High Court in Pretoria on Monday.

Judge Eben Jordaan had by that time convicted Dirk Hanekom, another member of the 20 Boeremag accused, on a charge of treason arising from a plot to violently overthrow the government.

During Monday's proceedings, Jordaan said he found it difficult to believe Hanekom's claim that he “didn't have a clue what was going on” when members of the right-wing Boeremag group embarked on a “D-Day” mission on September 13, 2002.

They intended planting bombs to create chaos in the country.

“He therefore is found guilty of high treason,” Jordaan said.

He said it was clear Hanekom played a prominent role in the group. After the judgment, Hanekom took off his glasses and placed his head on the bench in front of him. He was the only one of the group of 20 who had changed his testimony during the trial.

Jordaan then continued his judgment with medical doctor, Johannes “Lets” Pretorius. His three sons are among the accused.

Jordaan dismissed several parts of Pretorius' affidavit, including sections in which he claimed no knowledge of plans to overthrow the government. He called his testimony rubbish and unlikely.

Before the postponement, Jordaan said the evidence of a State witness who testified against Pretorius was believable.

During the trial the witness, Anthony Smith, testified how Pretorius was part of initiations into the Boeremag.

The trial was postponed to Tuesday. - Sapa