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Special Report Transcript Episode 23, Section 3, Time 07:28

On a Saturday afternoon in 1985, a few days before Christmas, a placid Karoo town was turned into a nightmare. The major conflict in Philipstown was between UDF supporters and community councillors and policemen. What started as a war of words between a local resident, Sophie Jantje and a municipal policeman Simon Silingo Tshemeshe ended in two deaths. Sophie was shot and killed by Simon. Revenge was swift. His father, Bhokwe GeelboyTshemeshe was burned to death that same day. Members of both families appeared before the Commission. Naphthael Tshemeshe, Silingo’s younger brother saw the tragic drama unfold.

Notes: Report by Gail Reagon

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Hearing Transcripts TRC Victims Glossary
The Municipal Police force was created to defend black local authorities in townships across the country and to bolster the security forces' efforts to deal with the climate of 'ungovernability' that had gripped the country in the mid-1980s. Approximately 14 000 Municipal Police officers were ...
 
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