20 January 2007
Months of intensive crime-intelligence driven operations culminated in the
arrest of two fugitives in the early hours of this morning when members of the
elite South African Police Service (SAPS) Special Task Force pounced on Herman
van Rooyen and Rudi Gouws at a townhouse in Centurion.
Van Rooyen (33 years) and Gouws (29 years) - who escaped from the Pretoria
High Court in May 2006 whilst on trial for various serious offences including
treason, sabotage and murder � were surprised at 03h20 this morning when the
Special Task Force stormed the duplex in Lyttleton. Although the two made an
attempt to resist, they were quickly overpowered by police.
The fugitives were armed with fully automatic rifles, with rounds in the
breach, at the time of their arrest.
National Commissioner Jackie Selebi, when told of the arrest, was delighted
and offered his sincere congratulations to all police members involved,
especially crime intelligence, members of the Special Task Force and
detectives.
The Divisional Commissioner of the SAPS Crime Intelligence Division, Ray
Lalla, said: "Months of sleepless nights have paid off for the dedicated team
which has been tracking Van Rooyen and Gouws. Many of our members have worked
tirelessly to ensure that the two are re-arrested, sacrificing valuable family
time and enduring death-threats which resulted in them fearing for the safety
of their families."
The first significant breakthrough occurred last weekend when Jacobus and
Elizabeth Bogaards were arrested for aiding and abetting the fugitives. A tent
in which the two had been camping was found on their property in close
proximity to their residence, as well as a motor bike registered in Herman van
Rooyen's name.
Police investigations are continuing and the possibility of further arrests
in connection with assistance given to the two are possible.
Van Rooyen and Gouws will be charged, inter alia, with escaping from custody
and illegal possession of firearms and will appear in court in Pretoria
shortly. The two will again join twenty others in the accused dock at the
Pretoria High Court to continue with their trial.
Enquiries:
Director Sally de Beer
Cell: 082 779 8658
Issued by: South African Police Service
20 January 2007
Source: South African Police Service (http://www.saps.gov.za/)
