Johannesburg - The bail hearing of twins Brandon-Lee and Tony-Lee Thulsie, who are accused of plotting terror attacks on the US embassy and Jewish establishments in South Africa, was postponed on Monday at the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court.
Prosecutor Chris Macadam told the court prior to the postponement that a new charge sheet had been submitted and there were discussions on how to proceed, but they weren’t able to reach an agreement with the defence team representing the twins.
The Thulsie brothers were arrested at their home in Newclare in Johannesburg two weeks ago during a raid by South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks). Two other suspects were arrested during the same weekend, but were not facing the same charges at the twins.
Siblings Ibrahim and Fatima Patel, who were arrested in Azaadville, Johannesburg, and are out on bail of R5 000 each. They are expected to appear in the Kagiso Magistrate’s Court on September 20, to face charges relating to the illegal possession of ammunition and explosives.
On Monday, security outside the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court was heightened. Armed policemen were posted outside the court room. Policemen holding guns stood at the door and others were inside the court.
Anneline Van den Heever, for the twins, said that at their appearance last Monday, an amended charge sheet was attached and she requested the disclosure of certain documents from the state, but they refused.
Magistrate Pieter du Plessis said there was nothing he could do about the request that Van Den Heever made.
“The state has no obligation to disclose the documents.”
Van den Heever asked Du Plessis to stand down proceedings for her to consult her clients.
When the proceedings resumed Magistrate Du Plessis postponed the matter to Tuesday, 2 August 2016.
The twins, who remain in custody, face three counts of contravening the Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorist and Related Activities Act.
The charge sheet alleges that twins planned to set off explosives at a US embassy and “Jewish institutions” in South Africa.
African News Agency