The Boeremag (Afrikaans: Boer Force) is a South African right-wing activism group with white separatist aims and is accused of planning to overthrow the ruling African National Congress government and to reinstate a new Boer administered republic reminiscent of the era when Boers administered independent republics during the 19th century following the Great Trek.
South African law enforcement officials charge that the Boeremag was responsible for the 2002 Soweto bombings and arrested twenty-six men, alleged to be members of the Boeremag in November and December 2002, and reportedly seized over 1,000 kilograms of explosives in the process. Further arrests followed in March 2003.
The first trial of Boeremag suspects began under tight security in Pretoria during May 2003. Twenty-two men were charged with forty-two counts of treason, murder, and illegal weapons possession. Six pleaded not guilty, two have not entered pleas, one refuses to plead, and thirteen are challenging the court's jurisdiction, alleging that the post-apartheid constitution and government of South Africa are illegitimate.
During the trial plans to blow up South African actor Casper de Vries together with eight other individuals was revealed. The group is quoted for saying that the reason for this plan was because De Vries "was not on the right path".[1]
In October 2004 the Pretoria High Court heard testimony from a witness, Deon Crous, who stated under oath that he had assisted two of the accused, Kobus Pretorius and Jacques Jordaan, to manufacture 1500 kg of explosives. Crous testified that five amounts of 300 kg were reserved for five separate bombs. One of the planned bomb attacks was cancelled as there was too high a risk of white civilians being injured. The bombs were to be detonated on December 13, 2002, with various attacks planned to follow the bombings.[2]
In early May 2006 Herman van Rooyen and Rudi Gouws, two of the leading members being tried, were reported to have escaped.[3] The two men were recaptured on 20 January 2007[4] , and were set to appear in court to face charges of escape and the illegal possession of firearms.
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