Bloemfontein - The rightwing plotters who allegedly planned to attack the ANC's Mangaung conference planned to sell diamonds to bankroll their activities, the Bloemfontein High Court heard on Monday.
State witness Jacob Scherman, 40, testified in the Mangaung treason trial that the alleged plotters planned to form a new political party to cover up their planned terrorist acts.
He was testifying in the treason trail of Johan Prinsloo, 51, one of the alleged plotters in the foiled attack on the ANC's Mangaung conference, held in Bloemfontein in December 2012.
Scherman testified that the new political party was to be called Federale Vryheidsparty. He told the court the alleged plotters planned to get diamonds, and then party members with Chinese connections would sell the diamonds to bankroll some of their activities. Scherman said he was responsible for setting up a website for the political party.
He is the second state witness to testy in front of Judge Mojalefa Rampai. The State is expected to call another 11 witnesses.
Scherman said there were several meetings on Prinsloo's farm in Naboomspruit, Limpopo, where the plans for the new party were discussed.
Prinsloo faces charges of treason, conspiracy to take part in terrorist acts, and possession of illegal ammunition. He was arrested in December 2012 with Martin Keevy and Mark Trollip.
Trollip pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy and was sentenced to eight years in prison last year. Keevy was declared unfit to stand trail.
The trial continues.
Sapa