Phalaborwa terror trial set down for next year

Three men accused of planning to bomb African National Congress leaders’ homes and terrorise black townships go on trial next year, the Phalaborwa Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo decided on Thursday.

The trio were served with indictments to appear in the high court in Phalaborwa from May 9 to 20 2011, investigating officer Constable Gerald Mashiane told the South African Press Association.

The accused—Georgois Kiratzidis (21) Martinus Vorster (19) and Ruan Louw (21) were out on extended bail.

They faced multiple charges ranging from conspiracy to engage in terrorist activities, and illegal manufacturing of and possession of explosives, to the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Kiratzidis was out on R100 000 bail, while Vorster and Louw were out on R80 000 bail each.

They allegedly planned to bomb residences of ANC leaders, plant bombs in townships and bomb buses transporting black people.

Mashiane said the fourth man who was charged with them would now appear separately.

Francois de Vos (35) faced a charge of violating a grave and his case was postponed to October 21.

He was accused of vandalising the tombstone of late former diplomat Norman Mashabane in Phalaborwa earlier this year.

Initially seven people were arrested but charges were withdrawn against two of them and one, Andre Stroh, pleaded guilty in September to a charge of possession of ammunition.

He was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment, which was suspended for five years.—Sapa