Police spy Johan Smit revealed for the first time on Monday that police had made secret tape recordings of several Boeremag meetings at which an alleged coup plot were discussed.
This prompted the defence counsel for several of the Boeremag treason accused to demand that the prosecution hand over the tapes, claiming that it might contain information in their favour.
Prosecutor Paul Fick, however, said the state could not use the tapes as evidence as they were not audible and the tapes were therefore irrelevant. He also objected to questions that would reveal the methods used by police to bug the meetings.
Cross-examination of Smit started in earnest on Monday after a delay of several months, during which the defence studied Smit’s police informer file, which was finally handed over after an extended legal battle.
Defence counsel Harry Prinsloo expressed concern that the originals of certain documents forming part of the state’s case had not been handed to them. Fick said the originals could not be traced.
Following Smit’s revelation that certain meetings had been bugged, defence advocate Piet Pistorius said the playing field was not level in the trial and the defence now had even more reason to believe that the state was not revealing evidence that might favour the accused.
Trial judge Eben Jordaan asked the prosecution to consult with defence counsel regarding the availability of the tapes.
Smit also revealed that a seer called Sonja and her husband had attended one of the meetings at which the coup was allegedly planned. Those attending the meeting were concerned about her vision that blacks would attack whites “from the south” (of Johannesburg).
The visions of other Afrikaner visionaries were also regularly discussed at meetings, as were methods of defending themselves by attacking first.
“All of the people were militarily trained and in the defence force the view is that the best method to defend yourself is to attack first,” Smit said.
The 22 accused, who are alleged to have plotted the violent overthrow of the government, have denied guilt on 42 charges ranging from treason to terrorism, sabotage, murder, attempted murder, causing a series of explosions and the illegal possession of firearms, explosives and ammunition.
The hearing continues. — Sapa
Boeremag back in court