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Extremists accused of terror plot to spend Christmas behind bars

───   09:49 Tue, 03 Dec 2019

Extremists accused of terror plot to spend Christmas behind bars | News Article

Four people accused of planning terror attacks at national key points appeared briefly in the Middelburg Magistrate's Court in Mpumalanga on Monday.


The 60-year-old Johannes Knoesen, 54-year-old Riana Heymans, and two brothers, 55-year-old Eric and 49-year-old Errol Abrahams, are facing charges of contravening the Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorism and Related Activities (POCDATARA) Act, as well harbouring a wanted suspect in terms of the same Act.

The four are all members of the National Christian Resistance Movement, also known as the 'Crusaders', with Knoesen who is the leader.

Police Spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzsi says they were remanded in custody pending their next appearance on the 21st of January 2020.

The suspects were arrested following a two-year-long intelligence-driven operation.

During the arrests, police confiscated various firearms and 5 300 rounds of ammunition of different calibres, documents and other items confiscated by the Criminal Record Centre for further probing.

Police also raided a farm in Komgha in the Eastern Cape where explosives were found.

The farm belongs to a follower of Knoesen and is being used by members of the group.

It is alleged that the suspects wanted to bomb national key points, townships and shopping malls on Black Friday.

If found guilty the accused could face life in prison.

The investigation continues. 


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