Rightwingers ordered mortars for Mangaung

The rightwingers who planned an attack at the ANC's 2012 Mangaung conference ordered mortar bombs, the Bloemfontein High Court heard.

State witness Jaco Scherman said the accused asked him to get them two 120mm mortars. He agreed at a cost of R9500.

Scherman testified that he and Johan Prinsloo travelled to Ficksburg on December 12, 2012 where the transaction for the mortars was to take place. They were later joined by Mark Trollip.

During that meeting, Prinsloo and Trollip asked Scherman to also supply them with 30 R4 or AK-47 rifles, but he refused, telling them it was on short notice.

The court heard that the plan was to fire a mortar bomb at the campus of the University of the Free State -- where the ANC's conference took place -- and to open fire when delegates streamed out of the conference venue.

Judge Mojalefa Rampai was hearing evidence in Prinsloo's treason and conspiracy trial. He faces charges of treason, conspiracy to take part in terrorist acts, and possession of illegal ammunition.

Prinsloo, Trollip, Hein Boonzaaier and Martin Keevy, were arrested in connection with the alleged plan to attack delegates at the African National Congress's conference.

Trollip pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy and was sentenced to eight years imprisonment last year. Charges against Boonzaaier were dropped and Keevy was declared unfit to stand trial.

The trial continues.