No evidence of assassination, coup plot – NPA

THERE is no evidence to suggest that the man accused of allegedly plotting to assassinate South African government officials, including cabinet ministers perceived as beneficiaries of state capture, is a coup plotter, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said.

Elvis Ramosebudi briefly appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday on charges of incitement to commit murder.

NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said evidence suggested that Ramosebudi had acted alone. “At this stage we don’t have information that suggests this was a coup plot,” she told reporters.

Ramosebudi briefly appeared in a packed courtroom before magistrate Vincent Ratshibvumo and seemed unfazed by the attention from journalists as he smiled and greeted his lawyer.

The 33-year-old was arrested last week by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), which said investigators had intercepted communication of possible assassinations being planned.

As many as 19 people were allegedly targeted.

State prosecutor advocate Johan Badenhorst said the charges had been changed from conspiracy to commit murder to incitement to commit murder.

Mjonondwane said the chargers were changed because the evidence indicated that Ramosebudi acted alone and did not conspire with anyone.

“He incited people from AngloAmerican… He actually wrote a letter to a former employee of Anglo-American, requesting R60 million to further his crime.”

At his last appearance, the State said it intended to have Ramosebudi referred for mental observation. Mjonondwane said the decision would be made after investigations had been completed.

In court papers, names on the hit list include President Jacob Zuma and his son Duduzani, the Gupta brothers, former Eskom boss Brian Molefe, SAA board chairperson Dudu Myeni, Eskom chairperson Ben Ngubane, head of the National Prosecuting Authority Shaun Abrahams and Minister of Co-operative Governance Des van Rooyen.

According to the Hawks, Ramosebudi is a founder of the Anti-State Capture Death Squad Alliance.

He was arrested on April 26 in Midrand.

The matter was postponed to Friday for bail application. – ANA