After his sentencing yesterday (Thursday), Advocate Silas Selati who was part of the prosecuting team for the state, explained to the Addie what Prinsloo’s sentance is and how it will be served.
Prinsloo will serve a total of 13 years, having been handed down a sentence of 21 years.
Selati explained that Judge Mojalef Rampai sentenced Prinsloo to 15 years imprisonment on a charge of high treason and conspiracy to commit terrorist acts and six years for possession of firearms and ammunition.
For the conspiracy charge four years were suspended for five years, effectively sentencing him to 11 years imprisonment.
Of the six years he received on the possession of firearms and ammunition four years, were suspended for five years, leaving him to serve only to two years.
The two sentences, being served consecutively, will therefore see him incarcerated for 13 years in total.
He will serve his time in Grootvlei Prison in Bloemfontein.
Prinsloo was one of the four men arrested on December 16, 2012 for allegedly planning to attack ANC representatives at the Mangaung conference in Bloemfontein.
Advocate Silas Selati says Prinsloo was charged on both offences but the court weighed all the circumstances.
The court considered the fact that this is Prinsloo’s first offence, he is a South African citizen, owns a business, works for the community, is on chronic medication and wasn’t the master brain behind the conspiracy.
Selati says Prinsloo was not acquitted of the second charge as previously reported in the press.
Prinsloo was the only one of the four men to stand trial.
Martin Keevey was found unfit to stand trial, Mark Trollip turned states witness and was sentenced to eight years in prison and the charges against Hein Boonzaaier were withdrawn.
