/ 28 January 2004

Boeremag tapes handed over

The Boeremag High Court treason trial was once again delayed on Thursday to enable defence counsel to study possible further evidence.

Harry Prinsloo, appearing for one of the alleged Boeremag leaders, Mike du Toit, asked for a postponement until Thursday morning after the state handed eight tape recordings to him on Wednesday.

Prinsloo demanded the tapes after police spy Johan Smit for the first time revealed, during cross-examination, that police had secretly taped some of the Boeremag meetings at which a coup plot was allegedly discussed.

The prosecution said it could not use the tapes as all of them were inaudible, but the defence demanded to listen to the tapes, saying that it might provide corroboration for their clients’ version.

The 22 accused have pleaded not guilty to 42 charges ranging from treason and murder to sabotage and the illegal possession of explosives, firearms and ammunition. — Sapa