Court stays hand on ‘plotter’s’ bail bid

THE Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court reserved its ruling on the bail application of the man accused of allegedly plotting to assassinate South African government officials perceived as beneficiaries of state capture, yesterday.

After hearing arguments from the defence and the State, Magistrate Vincent Ratshibvumo said he would make his ruling on Monday.

Elvis Ramosebudi, 33, was arrested on April 26, after investigators intercepted communication of possible assassinations, which were being planned. As many as 19 people were allegedly targeted.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (known as the Hawks) said Ramosebudi was arrested in Midrand while he was busy explaining to the donors how the assassination of state capture beneficiaries was going to be carried out by an undercover coup plot sniper.

State Prosecutor Advocate Johan Badenhorst opposed bail and said that Ramosebudi’s determination to carry out his plan might resurface if he was released.

Badenhorts read out an affidavit by the investigating officer which outlined all the plans Ramosebudi had in place to carry out his mission. The affidavit revealed that Ramosebudi allegedly wrote his first letter on November 29, to a former employee of Anglo- American requesting R60 million in order to assassinate 19 high profile South Africans.

Some of the names on the hit list include President Jacob Zuma and his son Duduzani, the Gupta brothers, former Eskom boss Brian Molefe, South Afri-