BDFM Online
Thursday, November 16, 2006
THE far-right wing Boerestaat Party of SA announced yesterday that it intended registering as a political party on December 16.
The group, which was formed in the mid-1980s, said it wanted to become a fully fledged political party because it was feeling marginalised as an extraparliamentary group.
"We want to register first, and then we'll decide whether or not we want to take part in elections," said leader Coen Vermaak, who has in the past called on voters to boycott national elections.
The group has given notice in the Government Gazette that it plans to register as a political party.
The Independent Electoral Commission said it had not yet received an application. However, the first step towards registering as a party is to give notice of the intention to do so in the Government Gazette.
The Boerestaat Party was started in 1986 by Robert van Tonder and originally called for the restoration of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek and the Orange Free State as well as the secession of these territories from SA.
It has seen several controversial figures pass through its top ranks, including Piet "Skiet" Rudolph.
In 2002 police investigating the activities of the Boeremag raided the party's offices in Krugersdorp.
The organisation also took part in several large protests by the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Most recently it has been noted for adopting controversial views on AIDS, questioning its existence.
"Condoms can only stop sperm cells and not viruses," it said about a message to use condoms to prevent HIV and AIDS.
The party proclaims on its website that it promotes an increase in the numbers of the Boerevolk (Boer people).
"The Boerestaat Party under-stands that the numbers of black people in the country is overwhelming, therefore we would focus on increasing our numbers immediately," it states.
It aims to ban abortion and all contraceptives. The party considers condoms evil, and anyone who wanted to use them and other contraceptives cannot become a member of the party.
The party also has views on the economy, justice, agriculture and other issues but "does not aim to become the government of the day, because it will never get the support of all South Africans". Sapa