Hawks swoop on suspected terror group
The self-professed leader of the National Christian Resistance Movement, also known as the Crusaders, was arrested on Thursday for alleged terrorism.
He was picked up by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s (Hawks) crimes against the state team and National Crime Intelligence, the Hawks said in a statement.
The arrest came after a twoyear intelligence-led investigation into the alleged terrorist plot apparently coordinated by the group to target national key points, shopping malls and informal settlements.
Harry Johannes Knoesen, 60, was apprehended at his residence in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, and charged for terrorism-related activities in contravention of Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorism and Related Activities Act, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The subsequent search at another residence, in the Eastern Cape, uncovered a possible explosives factory, electronic devices, documents, an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, which were seized for further analysis.
Knoesen is a retired pastor and former South African National Defence Force member.
The case was postponed to Monday for legal aid representation.
The team also secured a warrant for the arrest of Riana Heymans for questioning on the activities of the movement.
Anyone who might know her whereabouts should contact Warrant Officer Jaco Koekemoer on 082-778-9157 or Lieutenant-Colonel Koos de Klerk on 071-481-2982, Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said.