SANDF top brass in hiding after death threats

A group of high-ranking South African National Defence Force (SANDF) officials from Pretoria have been spirited away into hiding after the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the police received information that a former army major was planning to assassinate them.

The former major, George Makume, who was dismissed from the SANDF in December last year after being convicted for being absent without leave, allegedly stole four R-4 rifles and hundreds of rounds of ammunition from a military base in Sasolburg on Monday.

Makume, who was dressed in a camouflage uniform, allegedly held up four commandos who were on duty and stole their firearms and the ammunition.

It is believed that Makume told the soldiers whom he robbed that he was going to hunt down and kill those who had presided over his case and had arrested him.

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=13&art_id=ct20040312212602627R510704&set_id=1