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Boeremag: 'Couple threatened'
16/01/2007 08:02 - (SA)
Marietie Louw-Carstens, Beeld
Modimolle - Police threatened to arrest the children of a couple, who are being charged with harbouring two Boeremag fugitives, if they did not co-operate.
This was the claim made by the lawyer for Jaco Bogaards, 47, and his wife, Bess, 49.
They appeared in Modimolle (formerly Nylstroom) magistrate's court in Limpopo on Monday, accompanied by heavily armed task-force police.
Their daughters, Izelke and Leoné, sat sobbing in the front row of the court while their parents held hands in the dock.
Their son, Tiaan, Leoné's twin, was not in court.
Intimidation claimed
Their attorney, Dr Sydney Gregan, told a group of supporters after the proceedings that the police had threatened that his clients' children would be arrested, as well.
Gregan said: "They intimidated Bess and Jaco and said they would confiscate goods on the farm.
"Naturally, no one is saying a word about that now," said Gregan.
About 150 angry fellow farmers from the district were at court early to show solidarity with the couple and emotions ran high at times.
"They are good and innocent people and the police found nothing on their farm," said one of the supporters outside court.
Bogaards and his wife are being charged with treason, terrorism and aiding and abetting criminal fugitives.
After the court proceedings their supporters stood up and sang in Afrikaans, Lord, let your blessings go with them, while the couple were led down to the cells.
National police commissioner Jackie Selebi's spokesperson Sally de Beer said there were indications that the Bogaards provided assistance and accommodation to Herman van Rooyen,33, and Rudi Gouws, 28, who escaped from custody last year during the Boeremag trial in Pretoria High Court.
Van Rooyen and Gouws escaped on May 3 last year, while appearing on charges of treason, terrorism and sabotage.
Found tent, motorbike on farm
Van Rooyen and Gouws are still on the run and the police search for them continues.
Beeld heard that task-force members had discovered a tent and a motorcycle on the Bogaards' farm.
The case has been delayed for a week and the Bogaards will remain in custody in Bela-Bela (formerly Warmbaths) police cells.
- Beeld
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