Source:
South African Broadcasting Corp. (SABC)
Twenty alleged DRC coup plotters will spend
another weekend behind bars. The men are accused of conspiracy to topple the
current Congolese government and ultimately eliminate Joseph Kabila and senior
members of his administration.
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| counsel for the accused, Johan Kotze adressing the media |
The Pretoria Regional Court (Magistrate
Court) heard that the men set up a training camp in the northern province of Limpopo.
June or July was pencilled for the execution of their plot in the Democratic Republic
of Congo (DRC). The police allegedly found training material and the coup plan
on one of the accused’s computer. Joseph Kabila’s brother, Etienne Kabila is
the allegedleader of the coup.
State Advocate (prosecutor)Shaun Abrahams
told the court that it will not be against the grain of the constitution or
constitutionally offensive to keep the accused in jail until the conclusion of
their case. He says the men entered the country illegally and still have the
means to leave illegally as they have the support of the Congolese community in
South Africa.
Also Read: Coup d’état attempt, true or false?
Abrahams says the accused have the
potential to endanger Joseph Kabila ant to disrupt peace in the DRC. He says
they have no regard for South Africa’s interest because had they succeeded in
their plan, they would have put this country in a bad light. He says the men
acted in common purpose and the state has a strong case against them.
However, counsel for the accused, Johan
Kotze, says it far-fetched to think that the 20 men without sophisticated
ammunition could enter the DRC and endanger the lives of President Kabila and
his cabinet. The case continues on Monday
This article has been edited, the original
version can be found here
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