Boeremag: Links with Force?

2003-06-17 22:04

Anesca Smith

Cape Town - South African intelligence officials believe Boeremag members may have sympathisers in the national security forces.

"We believe there's more to the Boeremag than meets the eye and will soon hand the president a report on the matter," Intelligence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu said on Tuesday.

"We will keep a close watch on the situation," she added.

National Intelligence Agency (NIA) director-general Vusi Mavimbela said the agency had been aware of the Boeremag since before 1994, but did not know when and where they would strike.

"We are concerned some members might have sympathisers in the security forces.

"The first question is therefore, are they co-operating? And if so, at what level?"

A total of 22 Boeremag members face charges of high treason, attempted murder, terrorism and sabotage.

Mavimbela said if suspicions of security force collusion were not confirmed in court, the NIA would launch its own investigation.

"We might have to delve deeper to establish if they have any links with the security forces."

However, Sisulu said the accused all had the right to be regarded innocent until found guilty.

- Die Burger