In a moment of high drama at the Pretoria High Court, five Boeremag accused, standing trial on a variety of crimes including terrorism and murder, made a desperate attempt to overpower members of the elite National Intervention Unit (NIU) of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and escape into the road outside.
The five - Mike du Toit, Herman van Rooyen, Rudi Gouws, Gerhardus Visagie and Tom Vorster - were situated in the accused dock in front of the court after a tea break at 11h35 when they attempted to overpower members of the NIU by spraying ammonia into their eyes and making a dash for freedom.
Four of them were apprehended before leaving the court room and the fifth, Herman van Rooyen, was apprehended in Vermeulen Street outside the courtroom. There was a strenuous struggle between the accused and the police officials during the apprehension process but no weapons were drawn and all were overpowered using the minimum force under the circumstances.
Four members of the National Intervention Unit, including a female police official, were taken to hospital for their eye injuries.
In May 2006 Herman van Rooyen and Rudi Gouws escaped from custody and were rearrested in January 2007. Twenty members of the so-called Boeremag are still on trial on a case that has already lasted eight years in the Pretoria High Court.
The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, General Bheki Cele, has praised his police officials for their swift reactions, despite some of them being debilitated by ammonia being sprayed in their eyes. "Our NIU members are well trained and highly experienced and no doubt this led to them being able to recapture all five, known to be highly dangerous, with the minimum use of force. I applaud them on their dedication", said General Cele.
Enquiries:
Brigadier Sally de Beer
Cell: 082 779 8658
Source: South African Police Service
