Terreblanche challenges SA arrest

Terreblanche was once the champion of a tiny right-wing minority

South African white supremacist Eugene Terreblanche's arrest on Sunday for allegedly breaking the terms of his parole is unfair, say his lawyers.

Mr Terreblanche was held after leaving Potchefstroom and Ventersdorp districts, where he had been confined.

But his lawyer Gerrie Basson said that his client had been arrested while going to Pretoria to apply for permission to travel outside the area.

He said Mr Terreblanche had a right to attend his court hearing in person.

Mr Terreblanche was released from prison three months ago after serving three years of a five-year term for attempted murder.

The former leader of the Afrikaner Resistance Movement (AWB) was jailed for attacking a black security guard in 1996.

The AWB tried terrorist tactics and threatened civil war in the run-up to South Africa's first democratic elections a decade ago.

With striking blue eyes, white beard and supporters clad in khaki with a swastika logo, Mr Terreblanche became the champion of a tiny minority of Afrikaners determined to stop the process that was bringing apartheid to an end.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version