One of the Boeremag treason accused, Herman Scheepers, has died after a long battle against a brain virus he contracted in jail.
Scheepers (52) has been absent from the trial since last year because of his ill health.
He was granted bail in July 2006 after four years in custody, following an urgent application by his attorney, Paul Kruger, whereafter he returned to his home in Ermelo, Mpumalanga.
Scheepers became seriously ill after contracting a brain virus in jail and had to be admitted to hospital when he suffered an epileptic fit.
The court was told in January that he was so ill and had such a bad prognosis for recovery that he was confined to his bed and would not be able to attend the trial, which is in its fourth year with the state still presenting its case.
Scheepers, a former senior official at Eskom, died at his Ermelo home on Wednesday morning. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
Scheepers and the 21 other treason accused have denied guilt to 42 charges ranging from high treason and terrorism to sabotage and murder.
The state alleges they had plotted a right-wing coup to take over the African National Congress government.
The state alleged in the charge sheet that Scheepers had in 2002 attended several Boeremag meetings at which the sabotage of power stations, power lines and water storage tanks were discussed.
He allegedly made suggestions about how it could be done and, according to the state, had allegedly not only helped to make time switches for bombs but also took part in an aborted mission, referred to as Operation Popeye, which would have kicked off a right-wing coup. — Sapa