United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa said he would attempt to secure the release of the man, who in 1990 with the backing of the apartheid regime, plotted to overthrow Transkei’s military government.
The former homeland government was headed by Holomisa at the time. Former Transkei businessman Vuli Mbotoli, was given a 20 year jail sentence in 1993 for the abortive coup and was subsequently given presidential amnesty in 1995. However, he was in jail this week on a separate conviction when his actress wife Dambisa Kente died.
He was sentenced in 1990 to six years imprisonment for illegal firearm possession. He lost an appeal and after 10 years had lapsed was arrested about six months ago and ordered to serve the sentence.
Holomisa said on Wednesday that he was willing to support Mbotoli’s release with an affidavit. ”I have told his previous lawyer so, but he did not come back to me.”
In 1999 the two squared off again but this time as candidates during the general elections with Mbotoli representing the Inkatha Freedom Party. At the time, Mbotoli said he and Holomisa were friends.
Holomisa said that he and Mbotoli became friends after the coup attempt.
”We knew that the coup had been a Pretoria project at the time,” said Holomisa, adding that he had visited his former adversary in jail.
Mbotoli’s lawyer, SS Weyers, said on Wednesday he was still waiting for a meeting with a Port Elizabeth magistrate to ascertain why his client had been jailed. ”I have begged them for more information but have still not received anything from them,” he said.
Weyers said he did not know exactly when Mbotoli was rearrested. Kente (44) a stage and television star, died last Saturday after being admitted to hospital two weeks ago. She collapsed a day after performing for Nelson Mandela during rehearsals for a stage production. It is not known whether Mbotoli will attend his wife’s funeral. – Sapa