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Terrorist-plot pastor moved to Barberton Maximum Security Prison

Correctional services have classified convicted terrorist-plot pastor Harry Johannes Knoesen as such a security risk that the department refuses to confirm which maximum security detention centre Mr Knoesen will serve his life sentence.

The Middelburg Observer reliably learnt from a family source that Mr Knoesen has been moved to Barberton’s maximum security prison to serve his sentence.

eMalahleni Corrections Centre, where Mr Knoesen was jailed in isolation before and during his trial, said it “can neither confirm nor deny that Knoesen has been relocated”.

According to the department, the security risk associated with Knoesen is simply just too high to divulge any information on where, and under what conditions, he is being held.

According to the information received, Mr Knoesen was moved to Barberton a fortnight ago.

He has had contact with his family since the relocation and according to the information, he is adapting well to current conditions.

Mr Knoesen pleaded to remain in Paxton during sentencing.

The corrections centre, however, confirmed during a previous media inquiry that Mr Knoesen would be moved due to Paxton’s medium security status.

Mr Knoesen will serve his sentence among some of the country’s most dangerous criminals, having been convicted of his attempts to arrange the genocide of black South Africans.

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Gerhard Rheeder

I have been a journalist for two decades, with numerous awards to my credit, both in photography and writing. A brief stint as researcher in the opposition offices of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature, honed my skills as specialist local government reporter, covering crime and courts.
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