An alleged commander of the right wing group “Boerelegioen" has been arrested and appeared in the Hankey Magistrate’s Court on charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
Danie Groenewald, 52 was arrested by members of the Hawks at Fairlight Farm in Thornhill outside Port Elizabeth on Wednesday night.
Hawks spokesperson Captain Philani Nkwalase said Groenewald had alleged links to the Boerelegioen [Farmers' Legion] right-wing group.
When he appeared in court on Thursday, he was granted R1,000 bail.
The matter was postponed to May 22 for further investigation.
A search by the Hawks uncovered an assortment of illegal ammunition – ranging from for handguns to rifles. A .22 and .303 rifles were also seized, Nkwalase said.
He said that after the raid further detective work resulted in the Hawks believing that Groenewald was a commander of the Boerelegioen.
Groenewald’s court appearance took place after the Hawks acted on an intelligence report that suggested illegal firearms were being kept at Fairlight Farm
“At this stage we can’t divulge details of the case but the ammunition will now form part of the police investigation,” he said.
Found at the farm was a green cap with a red emblem and the word “Boerelegioen" emblazoned on it.
The group’s website describes the organisation as a “protection unit” whose aim is to protect whites and their property.
The Boerelegioen also aims to counter "attacks" by the EFF, Black First Land First and other "enemies" through the formation of small protection groups, its website says...