Federal Freedom Party suspends president

19 December 2012 - 13:09 By Sapa
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From the left are Hein Boonzaaier , Johan Prinsloo, Mark Trollip and Martin Keevy who are accused of plotting to bomb the ANC’s 53rd National Elective Conference at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein. The four were arrested on Friday night in a joint Hawks and Task Team operation and appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Tuesday
From the left are Hein Boonzaaier , Johan Prinsloo, Mark Trollip and Martin Keevy who are accused of plotting to bomb the ANC’s 53rd National Elective Conference at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein. The four were arrested on Friday night in a joint Hawks and Task Team operation and appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Tuesday
Image: KEVIN SUTHERLAND

The Federal Freedom Party (FFP) suspended its president, Hein Boonzaaier and operational manager Johan Prinsloo, the party says.

"The executive council have decided on an urgent meeting on December 19, to suspend president Hein Boonzaaier and operational manager Johan Prinsloo from the party until further notice," said national secretary Francois Cloete.

Boonzaaier and Prinsloo appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, facing treason and terrorism-related charges.

They appeared alongside Mark Trollip and Martin Keevy.

The state alleged that they were part of a group who planned the "Battle of Mangaung", to eliminate the country's leaders.

It was alleged they, along with others, had been planning since the beginning of the year to establish a new right wing party, the Boere Party, and commit acts of sabotage.

Their case has been postponed to January 8. They would remain in custody.

Trollip was arrested on the road between Kimberley and Douglas in the Northern Cape on Saturday.

Keevy was arrested at a guest house in Bloemfontein, while Prinsloo was arrested in Springs and Boonzaaier in Centurion on the same day.

"The party still denies any involvement in the alleged terror plot. The party will wait for the court proceedings to take its course on the case," said Cloete.

The new acting president would be announced this week and would lead the party until the party's general congress in June 2013.

He said the party would contest in the 2014 general elections to get a mandate for self-determination for the Afrikaner people.

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