MARAIS FAMILY, WESSELSBRON TARGETS OF COPS, HIRED KILLERS
11:33 | Posted by Censorbugbear |
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Virginia Conspiracy trial nears conclusion: Ten men (4 cops, and also brother of a FS ANC-leader) charged with the contract-killing conspiracy to murder Wesselsbron farmer Karel Marais.
2011-09-18 Volksblad journalist Tom de Wet writes that ten men -- amongst them four cops and ex-cops -- stand accused of conspiring to kill wealthy Free State businessman and farmer Karel Marais as well as two police-investigators, SAPF inspector Lizelle Herbst and inspector Nico Smith of the Falcons special investigation unit.
Faan Rossouw, an ex police-informant was the last to testify in the trial, admitting that he was paid R7,500 for his share in the conspiracy. Judge Faan Hancke is expected to deliver his verdict in the Virginia court this week.
The accused men are: Mr Molehane Mabuza of Wesselsbron, police-informant Faan Rossouw, Christiana funeral director Andrew Scheepers, Christiana resident Barney Booysen, SAPF insp. Xolisile Blom, insp. Jabulane Xaba, ex-police officer Japhta Khotule who is the brother of Free State legislature MEC Dan Kho-thule, SAPF insp. Steven Mtwala, Mr Sechaba Masiane and SAPF insp. Sello Mtsala. MEC Dan Khotule, although not charged, also earlier denied earlier testimony that he he had provided the funds for the 'hit'.
The men were charged with kidnapping, theft, armed robbery, conspiracy to murder three people, impersonating police officers and using an official vehicle without permission.
Marais and his family were targetted in a reign of terror: the family was attacked on their farm, Mr Marais was threatened with death, was kidnapped, and was forced to pay hundreds of thousands of Rands to the accused. Fortunately, the FS Marnet farm-security was so effective that four contract-killers were arrested.
The State delivered detailed testimony on the way the men had conspired to kill Marais and the two police-investigators while they were at the jail at Odendaalsrus.
The public prosecutor is Advocate Antoinette Ferreira. The legal counsellors representing the accused are adv. Terance Tshabalala, adv. Oupa Makhene, adv. Willem Edeling, adv. Jan Nkhale and Mr Dawie Reyneke.
previous reports -
Armed attack by six uniformed cops created permanent fear, trauma for Marais Boer family, Wesselsbron –
