The infamous Thulsie twins, Brandon-Lee and Tony-Lee, entered into a plea agreement with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and, on Monday, the Gauteng High Court accepted the proposal.
Thulsie twins plead guilty to terrorism charges
Six years after an intercontinental sting operation, led by the US’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), resulted in the twins’ arrest, before they acted out their deranged attacks on South African soil, Brandon-Lee and Tony-Lee were expected to kick off the first day of their terrorism trial, on Monday.
Until Monday, the twins had vehemently denied ever making valiant attempts to join the Islamic State (Isis) in Syria, or plotting to detonate explosive devices at a number of US embassies as well as Jewish institutions in South Africa.
However, it seems their legal representation made a breakthrough. On Monday, the Gauteng High Court accepted a plea bargain where the twins:
- accepted guilt for trying to join Isis; and
- planning to conduct terror attacks on South African soil
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Brandon-Lee was sentenced to eight years for his role, and his brother Tony-Lee got 11 years.
Since the Thulsie twins awaited trial in prison for five years and seven months, this period, the court ruled, will be deemed as time-served.
Consequently, Brandon-Lee could complete his eight-year sentence and be eligible for release in 2024. His brother, however, faces the prospect of a further five years in prison.
This is the first time, in South Africa history, that a court of law delivers a sentence to suspects accused of terrorism under the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Act.
Previously, convictions under the Act were made against South African right-wing activists. Never before has a South African suspect been convicted of planning terror attacks of the Thulsie twins’ magnitude before Monday.