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people's warExplanation Didn’t you, the ANC, think it was irresponsible to arm people over whom you had no control? // We did the best we could. I think it’s easy with 2020 eyesight looking back, Archbishop. We did the best we could; we responded to a plea from the community, we responded to a volatile and dangerous ... ‘On Hearings…’ // There’s always something that comes up, there’s always something that you don’t expect that comes up and it’s actually very difficult to keep control, because if you don’t keep control then it’s… I mean, we are not the important people; we’re merely the ... And then there are the people sometimes only vaguely associated with the ANC who were killed by the IFP. Often the KwaZulu police were suspected of being involved in these killings or involved by closing their ears and their eyes to people’s cries for help. [And in Cape Town today the PAC declared the following about the attack:] // ‘We think that this is the work of the third force, operating in this country to destabilize the transition to democracy. We are busy discussing the constitution here and it is no accident that this attack has occurred ... This was a clear case; racism is not an acceptable political motive, but what of the seven young applicants this week? Lawyer Norman Arendse gives his impression. // It’s a matter of locating what they did in the political context at the time. And clearly the political context at the time was ... Alright, Benedict you wanted to come in? // Benedict from Special Report, SABC. Why have people like PW Botha not been subpoenaed to come to the TRC? // Well they don’t have to be subpoenaed. You see, I think the whole idea of subpoenaing people is only for purposes of investigating and ... Our objective was to reclaim the land so that it could be given back to its original owners, the African people. // The farmers…you must understand that they form part or they were part of the oppressors at that time, because the farmers, you could actually define them twofold: they can be police ... If Alexandra can be a presidential project I think it will be a best befitting honour to the people of Alexandra. We have carried the flag of freedom since 1912 when Alexander came in to being. Our aim was to kill as many people as possible. Four people were burnt to death and four others were badly injured. // Our intention was to burn down the house, but however things didn’t go as we anticipated and as a result of our actions people died, but never there was any agreement between us to kill anyone on that sad day. It was never our ... ... going to be emotional and I’m going to … I need these people who did these things to come and reconcile with them and to ensure that we move ... We are divided by the river, the Umsunduzi river, down there at the valley. That is KwaShange and this is KwaMnyandu. So, when I looked there across I saw that there were many houses burning, sound of gunshots and all that and there were trucks moving up there with some impi’s, people in the ... The term ‘East Rand Unrest’ was used excessively in the eighties and early nineties to describe virtually continuous conflict between the people of this vast area east of Johannesburg and the police and army. This week the Truth Commission listened to a story from one of the East Rand ... … Followed them and told us that the smugglers had weapons in their car and that they were afraid that they would be robbed by these people. They then decided to eliminate these people by shooting them. During this discussion it was decided that it would create a problem if it was mentioned that ... We resigned on the 28th but our resignation was implemented on the 3rd of January. That whole time I was being ill treated. // I was bitter and that bitterness turned into … in changing my whole life. I lived like a recluse because I couldn’t trust anybody; I didn’t know what is happening ... I really find it difficult … that kind of reasoning, just to say to people, are there racial tensions, as though you expect me to put a red carrot here and say oh this is a green one. I really find it simplistic and naïve, if I may put it strongly that way. I’m not a spokesperson for the TRC, ... We actually, we put our limpet mine in the Kentucky box in order to make sure that no one is going to be able to see us when we are putting inside the bin which was there in Berea Station. We behaved as people that were just eating this chicken and now we are throwing the box of the chicken, ... I have watched in painful silence my character being butchered in the media. I have witnessed my contribution to this democracy being vilified and ridiculed. I have seen confused panic in my grandchildren’s tearful eyes, attempting to work out whether I am the demon that I am portrayed. I have ... My heart was closed, not only my eyes, also my heart was closed because of the system. It was all the information we received and rather to take the easy way out and that is to keep quiet and this is why this was an opportunity for me, Mr. Chairman, in which I could say that this thing which ... ... formed part of one such a death commando at Northern Transvaal Security Police head quarters: Brigadier Jack Cronje, Captain Jacques Hechter and Warrant Officer Paul van Vuuren. The other member of their team was Joe Mamasela; he has turned state witness against his colleagues and is therefore ... |
