The four alleged right-wingers, accused of plotting to kill top ANC officials during the Mangaung Conference in December last year, will hear the decision of their bail application at 13:00. Mark Trollip, Martin Keevy, Johan Prinsloo and Hein Boonzaaier sat quietly in the dock in the Bloemfontein Regional Court this morning. The court was filled with friends and family who came to support the accused.
Both the defense and the state were given opportunities to put more arguments before the court before a bail decision will be given. The defense again denied claims of plans and alleged meetings plotting the bombing of the ANC elective conference. Boonzaaier’s legal representative said he should be distinguished from the other three accused as there is no evidence that he was involved with the alleged bombing-plot. He also pointed out how noticeably thinner Boonzaaier was and stated concern for his health as another reason for bail.
The state argued that the four accused posed a threat to the community and should remain behind bars. State prosecutor, Shaun Abrahams, said if the accused did not fail at the last hurdle of their plan – to obtain the necessary weapons and mortars – they would have gone ahead with their plan and “this country would be in turmoil.” He said the four men knew they will never be able to win a democratic election with a right-wing political party, and that is why they reverted to a plan to kill ANC leaders.
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