Court hears of right-wing plot to overthrow state

KIMBERLEY -- Deadly anti-tank weaponry, RPG7 rocket launchers and mortars would have been used by right-wing activist Willem Ratte and 10 accomplices to overthrow the government, the regional court heard here yesterday.

The commander of Pomfret military base, Colonel Daan van der Merwe, testified in the terrorism, sabotage and theft of weaponry trial of Mr Ratte, 49, Mr Andries Kamfer, 54, Mr Andries Kamfer, 24, Mr Raymond Daniels, 46, Mr Jason Daniels, 18, Mr Andries Swanepoel, 18, Mr Pierre van Deventer, 24, Mr Juy Jean Maré Schelincky, 36, Mr Otto Gerner, 25, Mr Jacobus Coetzee, 49, and Ms Sarah Anne Janet Selier, 25.

According to the charge sheet, the accused were armed with hand weapons and knives when they were arrested at the base. Some 218 rounds of ammunition were confiscated.

According to Col Van der Merwe, the group's intentions were to "take over the government" with weapons they intended stealing from Pomfret on February 10, 1997.

The results of anti-tank weaponry being used on buildings were chaotic. Some mortars reach some 5 kilometres while others can be mounted on vehicles.

Col Van der Merwe said the accused were arrested on February 10 after Mr Ratte had asked Sergeant Johan Uys of the logistics department to point out weapons stores and sentry posts.

"Uys told me he pointed out a store where no weapons were being kept to foil Ratte. This decreased the base's risk and met with my approval," he said.

The SA National Defence Force, members of the police's task force and reconnaissance soldiers from Phalaborwa then thoroughly prepared themselves for Mr Ratte's alleged operation to obtain the weaponry, he said.