'Boeremag still a threat'

2003-04-21 22:01

Sonja Carstens

Pretoria - There is still a possibility that the Boeremag (Boer Force) could unleash renewed terror attacks on the country as cell groups reorganise and new members are recruited.

That's according to Henri Boshoff of the Institute for Security Studies.

He says the restructuring of the public service, which will lead to the retrenchment of about 33 000 public servants, could provide the Boeremag with many potential recruits who are disgruntled with the government.

This and the continuing crisis in Zimbabwe could act as triggers for renewed attacks by the Boeremag, Boshoff said.

The Boeremag initially recruited many of its members among farmers who were concerned about farm attacks, and afraid that the land appropriations in Zimbabwe would spill over to South Africa.

"The Boeremag are fanatical and nothing the government does will satisfy its members. Like all terrorist organisations, there are always a few members who escape arrest and who regroup to continue the organisation's work.

"Although there are many people who are sympathetic to the Boermag's cause, they are not necessarily prepared to expose their families to violence," he says.

- Beeld