On 28 November 2019 the Crimes Against the State (CATS) unit of the South African Police Service (SAPS) arrested Harry Johannes Knoesen (60) at his girlfriend’s home in Witbank, South Africa. The charge? Contravening the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Act (33 of 2004) by preparing and planning to carry out terrorist attacks, and soliciting support for an entity engaged in terrorist activity. The following day three co-conspirators were arrested. The plan was to take over the country, a lofty one. How had they intended to do it and how did police ultimately catch up with them?