Alleged Manguang plotter unfit to stand trial

One of three men accused of plotting to murder senior ANC leaders was declared unfit for trial in the Bloemfontein High Court.

Judge Albert Kruger also declared Martin Keevy, 49, a State President's patient to be held at the Free State Psychiatric Complex.

During a short sitting, State advocate Silas Chalale informed the court that psychiatric reports, four in total, concluded that he was unable to stand trial.

Keevy's counsel and the State asked for two reports each.

There was no dispute over the conclusions of the reports.

Kruger then declared Keevy unfit for trial.

The State then called investigator Francois Laux to testify in an application to declare Keevy a State President's patient.

Laux told the court Keevy attended a meeting in Kroonstad with other people in November 2012.

At this meeting Keevy apparently told people that the "Slag van Mangaung" (Battle of Mangaung) was imminent and would take place on December 16, 2012.

"Ministers and generals would be taken out," said Laux.

The court heard Keevy also went to the University of the Free State (UFS) campus in Bloemfontein and took photos of the areas where the ANC's elective conference halls would be.

The ANC held its 2012 national elective conference at the UFS Bloemfontein Campus from December 16 last year.

Chalale asked the court to declare Keevy a patient of the state after Laux's testimony.

Kruger agreed and ordered that Keevy be held at the Free State Psychiatric Complex in Bloemfontein.

The State alleges that Keevy, Mark Trollip and Johan Prinsloo were part of a group who plotted to kill ANC leaders at the Mangaung conference.

The treason trial of Prinsloo and Trollip would start in the Free State High Court on Monday, November 4.