The Pretoria High Court refused bail on Wednesday to one of the accused in the Boeremag treason trial, Kobus Pretorius.
Pretorius (34), whose father and brother are on trial with him along with 17 other accused on 42 charges including high treason, terrorism and murder, told the court he had experienced a religious conversion while in jail.
He said that due to his new-found faith, he wanted to serve the community.
Judge Khami Makhafola said an affidavit by investigating officer Superintendent Tollie Vreugdenburg contained unchallenged and damning allegations against Pretorius.
These included that a violent coup to take over the government had been planned on his farm, that he held a prominent rank in the Boeremag, and that he was present when the final preparations were made to set off explosives to start the planned coup.
There was also an allegation that Pretorius was responsible for the manufacturing of the bombs’ timing mechanism.
Makhafola said there was no evidence that Pretorius would not continue with his plans to overthrow the government, whose legitimacy he and other accused had challenged.
His change of heart related to his religion. He now recognised the legitimacy of the government, the court and the prosecution, Pretorius said.
The judge said there was wide support for the group that had previously helped him and there was no indication that it would not help him again. — Sapa