Three more Boeremag treason triallists on Tuesday applied for their discharge on all of the charges against them, claiming the state had not managed to link them to any conspiracy to overthrow the African National Congress government.
Counsel for accused Adriaan van Wyk, Pieter van Deventer and Frederik Boltman applied for their clients’ discharge in the Pretoria High Court because of a lack of evidence against them.
Counsel for Adriaan van Wyk, Daan Mostert, argued that apart from the evidence of police spy JC Smit — who claimed to have infiltrated the Boeremag’s inner circle — there was not a single witness who linked his client to a conspiracy that amounted to high treason.
The witnesses in fact made it clear that Van Wyk had shown little interest in Smit and his group’s activities, had never played an active role in any of the meetings he attended and had no longer been involved after November 2001.
Mostert also questioned the motives of Smit, whom he said had a ”personal problem” with Van Wyk.
He said it was clear that a document, setting out a coup plot, had been a ”secret agenda” and was kept away from persons who attended meetings believed to be all about protecting themselves against a feared black-on-white attack and Zimbabwe-type of situation.
Paul Kruger, appearing for Pieter van Deventer and Frederik Boltman, argued that the state had not even proved that his clients had been aware of an organisation called the Boeremag, or that they had sworn allegiance to the organisation.
He said no case had been presented that Van Deventer and Boltman had conspired with anyone to carry out a coup or that they had even been aware of a document setting out such plans. — Sapa