Thulsie twins case postponed

Twin brothers Brandon-Lee and Tony-Lee Thulsie, who are facing terrorism-related charges. Photo: Supplied

Twin brothers Brandon-Lee and Tony-Lee Thulsie, who are facing terrorism-related charges. Photo: Supplied

Published Aug 4, 2016

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Johannesburg - The case against terror-accused twins Brandon-Lee and Tony-Lee Thulsie was postponed in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Thursday.

Prosecutor Chris MacAdam called the State's third witness on Thursday, Provincial Coordinator of Crimes Against the State, Andre Neethling.

Neethling said State witness Roneldo Smit confirmed that he was part of a group that wanted to leave South Africa to join terror group Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and that Tony-Lee was Simba, who was known to plan terrorist attacks.

Advocate Annelene Van Den Heever, for the Thulsie twins, put it to Neethling that there were no details of who the twins were trying to convince to join ISIL as well as details of when they were planning to leave South Africa.

“I would expect foreign agents to tell you what details they have in regards to the allegations,” Van Den Heever said.

The State later closed their evidence and Van Den Heever told the court that the defence would not present any evidence.

MacAdam said that it was common cause that both the twins were arrested without a warrant of arrest, but were arrested in the power of an officer to arrest a suspect that had committed a schedule one offence.

MacAdam read out grounds that allowed investigating officer Wynand Olivier to arrest the twins.

“The main concern of the police was the carrying out of a terrorist attack,” MacAdam argued. He added that it was in the interest of the police to protect the public. MacAdam told the court that the Thulsie twins were lawfully arrested.

The case was postponed to Friday.

African News Agency

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