Rightwingers plotting to overthrow the government had brief intentions of assassinating businessman and former politician Cyril Ramaphosa, the Boeremag treason trial was told on Monday.
Coup plotter turned state witness Lourens du Plessis said he had dissuaded two accomplices who had ideas of killing President Thabo Mbeki.
”I told them that if they wanted to shoot somebody they should shoot Ramaphosa,” he told the Pretoria High Court.
Du Plessis said he gave Boeremag trialist Jacobus ”Rooikoos” du Plessis R10 000 to do reconnaissance for the assassination of Ramaphosa.
Two weeks later he enquired about progress, and Rooikoos du Plessis said he had been unable to do much because he was being followed, the witness said.
He then instructed that the reconnaissance be stopped and asked Du Plessis for the money back. It had been spent on food and fuel.
Asked what Ramaphosa had done to deserve being targeted in this way, Lourens du Plessis responded: ”What did he not do?”
He said the politician was perceived as being anti-white. He had made strong statements in the media about black economic empowerment, which Du Plessis experienced as unfair in a country where racism was not tolerated.
The court also heard that fears of crime and Mbeki’s perceived silence on the plight of white farmers in Zimbabwe were topmost among the motives for the coup d’état.
Many people who supported the righting plans did not necessarily agree with the masterminds’ intentions to chase all black people out of the country, Du Plessis testified.
”But people were waiting for a plan. They would have gone with any acceptable plan which would result in them being safe.”
The consensus was that the African National Congress-led government could not guarantee the security of Afrikaners, Du Plessis added.
The group was fearful that the state-backed seizure of white-owned land in Zimbabwe would repeat itself in South Africa ”especially in light our head of state’s silence [on the matter]”.
Safety and security were discussed at many of the meetings held around the country to discuss the planned coup, Du Plessis said.
He also told the court that a replacement parliament had been identified and was ready to take over after the coup. He said he had been told of the phantom body by accused number one, Mike du Toit. But he did not know who the members were.
Du Plessis told of meetings held to discuss the seizure of military bases and the stockpiling of food, medical supplies and fuel. Plans were also made to manufacture R100-million in fake money to finance the coup.
The gatherings were partly aimed at identifying and recruiting supporters, Du Plessis said. Credentials for potential recruits included an opposition to the government and crime, as well as a yearning to be ruled by a white Afrikaner government. Right-wing political allegiances were also taken into consideration.
Du Plessis was testifying in the trial of 22 alleged members of the right-wing Boeremag organisation standing trial on 42 charges ranging from treason and terrorism to murder, attempted murder and the illegal possession of arms, ammunition and explosives.
He was arrested in connection with the case in August 2002 but charges were conditionally withdrawn in exchange for his evidence.
He testified on Monday how things unravelled after police found a copy of Document 12, the Boeremag’s alleged coup blueprint, in Du Toit’s possession.
After the group’s unmasking, a meeting was held to plot a way forward where it was suggested that a Boeing be shot down to create chaos, Du Plessis said.
”But the idea was dismissed by everyone.”
Du Plessis, who had been tasked with amassing 500 combatants for the coup, said he withdrew after the exposure of the plot when it became clear that Du Toit and others were planning to go over into action. He felt this was irresponsible.
He remained committed, however, to lend his support should a Zimbabwe-like situation ever materialise in South Africa, Du Plessis testified. — Sapa
Boeremag plotted to replace Parliament