Court to hear of plans to kill

The alleged 33-year-old leader of the Anti-State Capture Death Squad Alliance appears in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court today after an investigation launched by the Hawks last week led to his arrest.

According to the Hawks, the man had been plotting the assassination of “state capture beneficiaries” in government. The alleged assassinations were to be carried out by “undercover coup plot snipers”.

In a raid reminiscent of Hollywood crime films, the Hawks said they arrested the man on Wednesday in Midrand while he was explaining to the organisation’s donors how the assassinations would be carried out.

Hawks spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi said no guns or artillery were found during the raid on the suspect’s house on Wednesday, but they seized a substantial quantity of “materials” which would be investigated.

“We have enough evidence to take him to court. Yesterday, we went to his house and picked up a lot of materials,” said Mulaudzi. “Once you threaten the security of this country, the matter is taken very seriously.

“We are doing the right thing in terms of the constitution and our mandate and we won’t be swayed by other people claiming that this person might not be right in his mind. Let the courts decide instead of making that speculation.”

The Hawks said that in October 2016, they intercepted communications alluding to planned assassinations and that members of Cabinet, state-owned entities and prominent South Africans were listed as targets. “Almost 19 individuals were targeted and their names will only be divulged in court,” the Hawks said.

Once you threaten the security of this country, it is taken very seriously.

Hangwani Mulaudzi Hawks spokesperson