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State closes case in Mangaung right-wing trial

Bloemfontein - The State closed its case against treason accused Johan Prinsloo in the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein on Thursday.

Prosecutor Torie Pretorius handed a list of admissions to the court the accused had made in agreement with his legal counsel.

Prinsloo, 51, of Springs in Gauteng, faces charges of treason, conspiracy to take part in terrorist acts, and possession of illegal ammuntion.

Prinsloo, Martin Keevy, 49, and Mark Trollip, 48, were arrested for an allege plan to attack the ANC's Mangaung conference at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein in December 2012.

The State alleges Prinsloo tried between July 2012 and 16 December 2012 to overthrow the government by trying to obtain mortar bombs and other weapons to attack President Jacob Zuma and Cabinet ministers during the conference.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Pretorius closed the State's case during a short sitting after consultations on the admissions between the two parties lasted until noon on Thursday.

Johann Nel, for Prinsloo, confirmed the admissions handed to the court and asked for a postponement to Monday.

Judge Mojalefa Rampai adjourned the matter.

Trollip pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy and was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment last year.

Keevy was declared unfit to stand trial.

The trial continues.

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