Johannesburg, Monday
THREE men allegedly involved in a right-wing plot to topple the government and help some high-profile prisoners escape, appeared briefly in the Pretoria Regional Court on Monday.
Michael Peshant du Toit (43) of Krugersdorp, Andrew Tibert du Toit (32) of Warmbaths, and Jacobus Christoffel du Plessis (43) from Brits, face charges under the Internal Security Act.
They were arrested last Friday and will remain in custody until their next court appearance this Friday.
The three were allegedly part of a plot to stage jail breaks for former Vlakplaas commander Eugene de Kock, as well as Clive Derby-Lewis and Janusz Walus, the murderers of SA Communist Party leader Chris Hani, and former Pretoria Boer Commando leader Willem Ratte.
The charges against the three also relate to an alleged plan to destroy the state’s computer network and to plant viruses to cripple the government’s technology capacity.
Their arrests reportedly relate to those of four other men in the Free State last month who allegedly planned to blow up the walls of the Vaal Dam. One of those four has since turned state witness.
Gaye Derby-Lewis said her husband and his accomplice, were unaware of the allegations.
”(They) wish to it to be known that the alleged plot reported on in today’s (Sunday) press to stage a jailbreak by various people from alleged right-wing movements, is completely unknown to them,” a statement released by Mrs Derby-Lewis said.
”Neither Derby-Lewis nor Walus has had any contact with any right-wing movements or people preparing a jailbreak, either in person, by letter or through any third parties.” – Sapa