Supremacist convicted in Mandela plot

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PRETORIA, South Africa, July 27 (UPI) -- A white supremacist that plotted to kill Nelson Mandela and return whites to power was convicted of high treason, South African prosecutors said.

Mike du Toit, a member of Boeremag, was convicted Thursday in Pretoria High Court. He was the first of 22 defendants to face trial, The Daily Telegraph reported.

His brother, Andre du Toit, was convicted Friday.

Witnesses said Mike du Toit discussed plans to kill black South Africans after luring them to the country's northern border

He allegedly discussed different scenarios to trigger the coup, including shooting down an airplane, blowing up a major dam or assassinating Mandela.

Witnesses said Du Toit planned to use a private army to seize military bases and major broadcasters to announce their takeover of the government, the Mail & Guardian reported.

His war plan was discovered when police raided his house in 2001.