blOEMFONTEIN – Disturbing details about a plot by four right-wingers to kill President Jacob Zuma and several other top government officials was made public on Tuesday.

Mark Trollip, John Keevy, Johan Prinsloo and Hein Boonzaaier were arrested over the weekend in connection with a plot to kill Zuma and other leaders at the ANC’s 53rd National Conference in Mangaung.

They face charges of treason, after allegedly plotting to overthrow the government and establish an independent Boer nation.

The families of the accused quietly observed court proceedings as evidence against the men was read out to Magistrate Monde Mahlaya.

Details heard in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court included a plan to fire mortar bombs on marquees housing ANC delegates at the party’s Mangaung conference and the execution-style murder of Zuma and some cabinet ministers during a dinner.

The court heard that the men had been plotting the attack since February.

But all the alleged planning was brought to an abrupt halt once the Free State police got wind of it from a tip-off and apprehended the men on Saturday.

Trollip was arrested on the road between Kimberley and Douglas in the Northern Cape, while Keevy was arrested at a guest house in Bloemfontein, Prinsloo in Springs and Boonzaaier in Centurion.

The accused will appear again in court on 8 January.

For more details go to ewn.co.za