Special Report Transcript Episode 18, Section 3, Time 19:35

Cadres were under strict instruction to carry out reconnaissance properly so that military patrols were the primary target of the landmine operations. This arose, Chairperson, out of what the regime was doing at the time when it incorporated areas: white farms and white farmers in the border areas into its defensive network. You will remember that there were even moneys granted to farmers to encourage them to stay on their farms. They became part of the military structure. And it was in that context that landmines were used, because they would carry out patrols and this kind of thing. As a response therefore to what the regime itself was doing I’m saying that we took that particular step and again would want to say Chairperson, the use of those landmines would in that context in our view be a legitimate form of operation in the context of the conduct of a just war.

Notes: Deputy President Thabo Mbeki (ANC submission to the TRC)