Boeremag trial continues

Barry Bateman | 4 hours ago PRETORIA - In what appears to be a last ditch attempt to overturn their convictions, the Boeremag will submit an affidavit from a former crime intelligence officer confessing to investigation irregularities. This emerged in the North Gauteng High Court on Monday, where pre-sentencing procedures were scheduled to get underway. Attorney Paul Kruger said an affidavit by former crime intelligence Captain Deon Loots has been concluded on behalf of their clients. Loots was one of the lead investigators and the handler of the agent who infiltrated the group. He alleged that police planted evidence on the men, that they were incited to commit crimes and that police monitored conversations with their legal teams. Kruger said the affidavit will be ready by the end of January 2013. He also said the constitutionality of the alleged irregularities need to be tested in court. The 20 men were found guilty on a range of charges in august 2012, following a marathon decade-long trial. (Edited by Katleho Mogase) EYE WITNESS NEWS - - Boeremag member apologises Email Share Keep for later Some of the Boeremag accused being led to the holding cells in the North Gauteng High court. Picture: Barry Bateman/EWN Barry Bateman | 28 August 2012 PRETORIA - A Free State farmer who was convicted of high treason in the Boeremag trial on Tuesday said he was sorry for what he had done. He made the comments in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria. Last week, Judge Eben Jordaan concluded delivering his judgment in the nine year-long trial. The matter will take another three weeks to complete as the judge hands down sentences. Jurie Vermeulen’s lawyer, Bernard Bantjies, told the court his client regarded the Boeremag matter as a “closed chapter in his life”. Vermeulen said he was sorry for any harm he caused to society and government, adding he had no plans of being involved in extremist activities again. The 44-year-old spent nearly eight years behind bars, before being released on bail in June 2010. During the trial, the court heard Vermeulen played a minor role in the Boeremag’s plan to overthrow the ANC-led government. (Edited by Zethu Zulu) EWN Boeremag member gets bail Email Share Keep for later Boeremag accused and their lawyers in the North Gauteng High Court. Picture: Barry Bateman/EWN. Barry Bateman | 27 August 2012 PRETORIA - The North Gauteng High Court on Monday granted bail to a Boeremag member, who spent more than 10 years behind bars while the trial was underway. Judge Eben Jordaan found all 20 right-wing members guilty of high treason after a nine-year marathon trial. The judge found that former accountant Adriaan van Wyk's 10 years in jail made up for his minor role in plotting the coup. He told the court that although van Wyk was regarded as a weak Boeremag member, he was respected by others in the group. But Jordaan said evidence showed he was drawn into the plot by a police informant. Van Wyk was granted bail of R15,000, under strict conditions. The accountant has already secured a job for himself. The Pretoria court will now hear arguments before sentencing is handed down. The Boeremag members were arrested for plotting to overthrow the ANC-led government. (Edited by Zethu Zulu) EWN Another Boeremag member guilty of treason Email Share Keep for later Boeremag accused and their lawyers in the North Gauteng High Court. Picture: Barry Bateman/EWN. Barry Bateman | 13 August 2012 PRETORIA – Dirk Hanekom on Monday became the eleventh Boeremag member to be convicted of high treason in the North Gauteng High Court. Judge Eben Jordaan continued reading his findings against 22 men accused of plotting to overthrow the ANC-led government. The men face a range of charges, including murder and terrorism. Jordaan dismissed Hanekom's claims that he was not aware of the coup plot. The judge said Hanekom played a prominent role in the right-wing group. Jordaan accepted testimony that Hanekom was regarded as both a general and military commander, as well as second in command to Boeremag leader Tom Vorster. Hanekom changed his testimony during the trial, which counted against him. The case will resume on Tuesday. (Edited by Zethu Zulu) EWN 9 Boeremag members behind bars Email Share Keep for later Some of the Boeremag accused being led to the holding cells in the North Gauteng High court. Picture: Barry Bateman/EWN Barry Bateman | 03 August 2012 PRETORIA - Three more members of the Boeremag were found guilty in the North Gauteng High Court on Thursday. Judge Eben Jordaan picked up pace in the second week delivering his ruling, bringing the number of men convicted so far to nine. 22 men faced a range of charges including treason, murder and terrorism. Jacques Olivier, Pieter van Deventer and Fritz Naude have all been found guilty of high treason. Olivier and van Deventer were defence members at the time they joined the right-wing plot to overthrow the government. Jordaan pointed out the pair’s loyalty should have been to the country as they had sworn allegiance to South Africa and they had a duty to report the plan. Naude was not in court to hear the ruling because he is still recovering from a stroke. The Boeremag’s plans to take back South Africa included causing chaos in the country through a trigger event which would allow them to control military bases. The government would then be replaced with white military rule and all black and indian people chased out of the country. Blowing up the Vaal dam, shooting down a Boeing and blowing up power stations were among the plans discussed by the members. Specific tasks were assigned to people at some of the meetings. (Edited by Clare Matthes) EWN Another Boeremag member guilty Email Share Keep for later Boeremag accused and their lawyers in the North Gauteng High Court. Picture: Barry Bateman/EWN Barry Bateman | 01 August 2012 PRETORIA - Another Boeremag member was found guilty of treason in the North Gauteng High Court on Wednesday. Since Judge Eben Jordaan started handing down on Monday last week, six members have been found guilty of high reason. The 22 right-wingers were charged with a host of crimes including treason, terrorism and murder. The matter has taken oven nine years to complete, making it one of the longest running legal matters in South Africa. On Wednesday, Giel Burger was found guilty of plotting against the government. Earlier this week, Deon van den Heever and Adriaan van Wyk were convicted of treason. Van den Heever was a contract electrical worker at a Northern Cape military base, while van Wyk was a member of the former military special forces. The judge accepted evidence that the men had attended meetings and played an active role in plotting the coup. Jordaan found that specific tasks were assigned to people at some the various gatherings. (Edited by Clare Matthes) EWN - COMMENTS BY SONNY - - ....."Betrayal is instant - The Truth takes a little longer"..... - Sonny Cox 2013 What happened to lord JC SMIT? THINGS ARE NOT ALWAYS WHAT THEY SEEM TO BE. THE NPA HAS A LOT OF EXPLAINING TO DO! Same as the Glynnis Breyternbach labour dispute!