The lobby group, Right2Known Campaign, has called on South Africans to engage critically with events surrounding the arrest of a man accused of plotting a coup in the country.
Thirty-three-year-old Elvis Ramosebudi appeared in court on Friday following his arrest by the Hawks.
The Hawks said that they had intercepted communications last year of possible assassination attempts on at least 19 people, including cabinet ministers that have been linked to the State of Capture report.
State Prosecutor King Masemola said bail was being opposed bail for the suspect because the state needed to conduct further investigation.
Masemola also said that they intended to have Ramosebudi referred for mental observation because of the dodgy coup plot he was allegedly planning.
"I've been informed by the advocate, they came to a conclusion that it was not normal for the person to commit such an offence using his own personal bank account and go around to the companies (for) fund raising…a normal person can't go around asking for millions, not even thousands for his own personal things."
Magistrate Vincent Ratshibvumo asked Ramosebudi if he had ever been admitted to a mental institution and the accused said he could not recall.
Earlier, Hawks spokesman, Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi, said the Hawks had acted on the information they received and conducted undercover operations in both Pretoria and Johannesburg which led to the arrest.
But, in a statement Friday, R2K said that the evidence available does not suggest a credible threat to the country's constitutional democracy.
The narrative put forward by the Hawks needs to be viewed critically," said R2K spokesperson, Murray Hunter.
"The Hawks claim this individual is linked to two structures, absurdly named "the Anti-State Capture Death Squad Alliance" and the "Anti-White Monopoly Capitalists Regime". It is not credible that genuine covert structures would be so descriptively named," he said.
"We also note the allegation that this individual approached various big businesses seeking donations to fund assassination attempts of various prominent individuals. It is not credible that a genuine covert plot would involve open efforts at fundraising," he added.
Hunter said "we cannot ignore the possibility for state institutions to seize these events as an opportunity to create an artificial 'security crisis'. "
"It is common in any situation for securocrats to generate a crisis to justify more power and influence, and a closing down of democratic space. The track record of the Hawks does not inspire confidence," he said.
"This includes the attempt, in October 2015, to charge protesters at Parliament with treason, as well as last year's ludicrous attempt to prosecute former Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan on charges that were then dropped," Hunter said.
We also cannot ignore the vague but persistent allegations made by senior members of the security cluster, including the Minister of State Security David Mahlobo, that there are unnamed 'rogue elements' and a 'third force' allegedly using the courts, the media and civil society organisations to 'destabilise' the country.
"This dangerous narrative must end," he said.
