Twin brothers accused of contravening the Terrorism Act and plotting to blow up the US Embassy and Jewish institutions in South Africa on behalf of Isis appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
Brandon-Lee and Tony-Lee Thulsie were arrested along with two others on Sunday by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) during an operation in Newclare and Azaadville. The two other accused were expected to appear in the Kagiso Magistrates’ Court. The four had reportedly planned to go to Syria to join terror group Islamic State of Iraq and the Syria (Isis).
The Thulsie brothers both face three counts relating to engaging in acts of terrorism.
According to the provisional charge sheet, the two had, between October 2015 and 8 July 2016, conspired to commit terrorist activities in Johannesburg.
The State said the brothers planned to bomb a Mission of the United States of America and Jewish institutions located with SA.
“All in order to cause to endanger life, cause death and serious bodily harm and the destruction or substantial damage to such institutions, and in the pursuance of such conspiracy incite or spread feelings of terror in the civilian population of South Africa and in particular the US and the Jewish sector thereof and to intimidate the government of the United States of America.”
The conspiracy and incitement were linked the “political, religious or ideological motives” of the Isis, read the charges.
The case was postponed to July 19 for further investigation.
The 23-year-old twins remain in custody.