Cops bust rightwing group

2009-12-13 14:02

Johannesburg - Five people who are allegedly members of a rightwing group called the Jessurum brotherhood were arrested in the Boland area, the Hawks said on Sunday.

According to spokesperson Musa Zondi, the five were arrested last week after they fought and laid charges against each other.

"During the arrest, racist documents and literature were found in their possession. They believe that black people come from the devil therefore they are evil."

Zondi said they were still investigating the cult and no charges had been laid against them in connection with their beliefs yet.

Believe all white people will be killed

The five - Johan Pretorius, 30, ex-cop and the alleged priest of the cult Peter White, 45, Jan Roodt, 64, Linda Coertze, 44, and a 17-year-old youth - were charged with attempted murder, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possession of illegal firearms. They all appeared in court on Friday and were released on bail.

According to Rapport newspaper, the group allegedly has links to the Suidlanders group, which in turn is linked to the Boeremag. The Suidlanders believe that all white people will be killed the day former president Nelson Mandela dies.

The Jessurum group apparently believes that black people are "animals" and refused to be questioned, touched by or receive food from black police officers after their arrest.

Rapport said they had several secret cells across the country, as far as Bela Bela in Limpopo province. Zondi could not confirm this as the hawks were still investigating.

The Jessurum group has even written a book called Dimensions of apartheid to explain their "principles".

- SAPA