Special Report Transcript Episode 3, Section 5, Time 30:46

Church street, Pretoria 1983. Amanzimtoti, 1985. ANC bombs remind ordinary white South Africans there is war. // The bomb that caused the biggest emotional outcry exploded in Church Street, Pretoria, in the late afternoon of May 20. 1983. 19 People were killed and 219 injured. The ANC claimed responsibility. Aimed at military personnel it was mainly civilians who were injured and killed. The two men who set the bomb also died in the blast. James Simpson worked in the building across the way from the blast and considers himself lucky to have escaped with minor injuries. // Can you tell us what you expect from the Commission? // I think that the people who were responsible for this should be apprehended, they should be brought to justice, and be punished. That is my opinion. // But you say that the findings already made that the two people who had planted the bomb have already been killed, they’re already dead. // Yes, but those are not the people who actually gave the order to plant the bomb. // Marina Geldenhuys was in her first job after leaving school with a life ahead of her. She was physically badly injured and suffered emotionally as well. // It was only about two years ago that I really went for psychiatric help. It did help me to some extend to really get over the worst of it. I’d say that the guilty parties must be brought to justice and they must reveal their reasons and motives for this attack. I wasn’t really politically aware at that time, from a very early age I was confused as regards politics. We didn’t really know what was right and what was wrong. // How do you feel about the political situation now? At that time you said you were an innocent bystander caught in the conflict, how do you feel now, 13 years later? // The new government is of significance to me because it means that I can sit here today and tell my story, earlier this would not have been possible.

Notes: Max du Preez; Church Street, after bombing; Commissioner, TRC hearing; TRC testimony: James Simpson; TRC testimony: Marina Geldenhuys; Commissioner; Geldenhuys