JOHANNESBURG -  Hanekom, a former Defence Force colonel of Bloemfontein, was Boeremag leader Tom Vorster’s second-in-command and was named as military leader to take over from Vorster.

Hanekom at first claimed nothing but self-defence had ever been discussed at Boeremag meetings, but later admitted he had planned acts of sedition aimed at establishing a separate Boer republic.

He admitted bombs were built and that the Boeremag’s D-Day plan for September 2002 had entailed causing nine simultaneous bomb explosions at various targets in Johannesburg, including the stock exchange and ANC headquarters.

This would have been followed by an attack on military bases.

Judge Jordaan said Hanekom had deliberately misled the court. His “B-version” came closer to the truth, but he still denied planning a coup. Hanekom testified  he had towards the end realised  Vorster was “irrational” and his plan to take over military bases was not practical.

According to Hanekom, one could not reason with Vorster, because he only listened to himself.

He claimed he had gone along with Vorster’s plan and joined a convoy intent on planting bombs at various targets because he was waiting for the right moment to put a stop to the plan.

The mission had to be abandoned when the police received information about the plan.

Judge Eben Jordaan said Hanekom was talking nonsense and it was clear  he had been  part and parcel of the coup plot.

Hanekom helped to write a series of so-called blue letters giving the government an ultimatum, proclaiming a Boer republic and declaring war on the government.

Judge Jordaan said Vorster and Hanekom had signed the blue letters with false names, proving that they had never planned to negotiate with the government, but had planned a war from the start.

The trial continues.