Boeremag: Wife battles to cope
2003-03-14 10:53
Pretoria - The wife of a suspected senior Boeremag member, Dr Johan "Lets" Pretorius, is heading for a nervous breakdown.
The health of Wilhelmina Johanna Pretorius, 56, of Mokopane is crumbling under the pressure of trying to manage her husband's business interests.
In a statement in his bail application, Pretorius, 56, says: "Her attempts to try to make ends meet are failing dismally."
He has offered to pay bail of R600 000.
Pretorius was detained in September after a police swoop on a mobile clinic that was found to be carrying petrol bombs, ammunition, attack rifles, tinned food and sleeping bags.
Pretorius is claimed to have been the leader of Operation Popeye which reportedly intended to explode bombs at government targets. Pretorius is understood to have financed the operation.
His sons, Kobus, 29, Wilhelm, 25, and Johan, 31, were arrested in December for alleged complicity in a spate of bomb blasts around South Africa.
Pretorius claims that before his arrest he treated about 300 patients monthly. His practice has since dwindled considerably.
In a statement filed by Pretorius's wife, his contracts with mines and the defence force were cancelled after his arrest.
She maintains it is impossible to have a coherent conversation with him regarding his business interests.
It takes her three hours to travel from Mokopane to C Max prison in Pretoria where she is allowed to see him for only half an hour.
Pretorius said: "If I do not get bail, I will be ruined financially."
His application has been postponed until March 19 for a decision.