Prinsloo trial continues

In the continuation of the treason and conspiracy trial of Johan Prinsloo (51) of Springs on Thursday, Judge Hans Rampai continued hearing evidence in the Bloemfontein High Court.

The case started on Monday and is set to continue into February.

Prinsloo faces charges of treason, conspiracy to take part in terrorist acts, and possession of illegal ammunition .

Prinsloo, Mark Trollip (48) and Martin Keevy (49), were arrested in connection with the alleged plan to attack the ANC’s Mangaung conference on December 16, 2012.

The court heard last Wednesday that the plan was to fire a mortar bomb at the entrance of the ANC’s conference venue, the Callie Human Centre at the University of the Free State.

Prinsloo’s lawyer Johann Nel cross-examined state witness, a police agent who infiltrated right wing circles, for a fourth day last Thursday.

Only know as Mr A, he was questioned on his testimony about two meetings in a Ficksburg hotel on December 12 and 13, 2012.

Earlier, the court heard the weapons could not be brought into South Africa from Lesotho, due to a strong-flowing Caledon River.

Nel also questioned Mr A’s bad memory in relation to his statements and the dates he signed then.

“If your memory is so bad about the statements, how trustworthy is the information you give to the court?” asked Nel.

“Statements are not my work, but rather to gather information,” he replied.

He said Prinsloo was mostly quiet during the Ficksburg meetings.

Nel said Prinsloo would deny he was present at the discussion in the hotel’s restaurant when the attack was discussed.

“Though Prinsloo did not take part in the discussion of the attack, he was there and talked once,” said Mr A.

Trollip pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy and was sentenced to eight years in prison last year.

Keevy was declared unfit to stand trial and declared a state patient in October last year.

Judge Rampai postponed the matter to Monday.

Mr A will not testify again on Monday due to a family matter he has to attend to.

Investigating officer Captain Francois Laux said this week’s hearings have gone well for the defence.

“State will call another witness to the stand on Monday,” he added.

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