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Content
A listing of transcripts of the dialogue and narrative of this section.
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Structure
The list provides the transcript, info about the text, and links to references contained in the text.
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Special Report
Transcripts for Section 3 of Episode 29
| Time | Summary | | | 14:00 | Who was to blame for the slaughter in Bisho in September 1992? Two months ago the Truth Commission tried to establish this but key witnesses like Ciskei dictator Oupa Gqozo did not testify. The Truth Commission held a new session on Bisho this week to try and get closer to the truth. But the National Party blamed the ANC, who blamed the Ciskei Defence Force, who blamed Oupa Gqozo, who blamed everyone but himself. And the Truth Commissioners in an unprecedented and controversial manner heaped scorn on all the witnesses. | Full Transcript and References | | 14:32 | Bisho, September 7 1992. A march of the ANC’s SACP alliance ends in tragedy when Ciskei defence force soldiers open fire on a crowd leaving 29 dead. Four years after the massacre the Truth Commission brings together key role players to explain the terrible event. | Full Transcript | | 14:58 | We are sorry. I say the burden of the Bisho massacre will be on our shoulders for the rest of our lives. I request the Commission, I think on behalf of the soldiers of the Ciskei Defence Force, that Brigadier Gqozo stand here and answer for what he has ordered on the 7th of September. // But Gqozo never arrived. Instead he sent his lawyer with a sick note. The Truth Commission granted the Brigadier two months leave to recover. This week they reconvened in East London to hear his testimony. | Full Transcript and References | | 15:35 | I was not involved in the security operations at all which was left to the various commanders of the security forces in who I had the fullest confidence to handle this situation. From where I was I was not watching, nor could I see with any clarity what was occurring in the vicinity of the march. The security forces were aware from the outset that they were to prevent the marchers from occupying Bisho as even after the magistrate have permitted the march, the ANC alliance had made it quite clear that they did not consider themselves bound by the restrictions. I heard the noise and chanting of the marchers, subsequently I heard sounds which I initially did not identify as being shooting. The Bisho massacre had occurred. I consequently learned about the shooting incident and that lives had been lost. | Full Transcript and References | | 16:41 | But it was too much for the mother of a slain Ciskei soldier. // I have frequently wondered what I would have done differently if the clock could be turned back, but given the circumstances I am at a loss to say. I know that the question on every body’s lips is whether I’m going to say that I’m sorry for what happened on that day. I feel that I’m not personally to blame for what happened on that day. | Full Transcript | | 17:38 | But Gqozo’s words failed to satisfy both the Commission and the brimming gallery. // So I appeal to you to speak from the heart and look at the people sitting on the second, third and fourth row. And so if you don’t do it today I think Brigadier you will be losing a wonderful opportunity toward reaching out to your people. // Please forgive me. I know that I don’t deserve your forgiveness under the circumstances. I will not be surprised if you take time to do it. I will not be surprised if you reject my offer offhand. You have lost loved ones, you have lost your sons, I know. But I’d like you to consider that whatever was the plan I tried by all means in my small capacity to say please let’s not follow this way. Please let’s not follow this way. | Full Transcript | | 18:55 | The then Minister of Law and Order, Hernus Kriel and Minister of Defence Roelf Meyer also testified. // Those who were killed and injured at Bisho were at the wrong place at the wrong time, being led by irresponsible and reckless leaders against a tyrant and a regime with weapons wrongfully shooting at them. And although all measures had been taken to try and safeguard a peaceful outcome to the crisis they paid the ultimate price for reasons we may still not fully comprehend. | Full Transcript and References | | 19:30 | General JJ Viktor is a much decorated South African policeman with 45 years of service behind him. Amongst other achievements he founded the base at Vlakplaas in 1979. In September 1992 he was head of the Ciskei Police Force. // My men and I don’t reflect on the CDF. I was not their commander. My men didn’t fire one shot. As a policeman we all expected the crowd to go into the stadium, and some leader or leaders decided no, we’ll do it differently. // General you told us that people must choose their leaders. Just in the way you’ve demonstrated your callousness, your coldness and insensitivity, shows us the kinds of leaders that the South African government chose to head its important departments and the strategies they used to ensure that those kinds of leaders are transported to the homeland governments. // The personal attack on me, I think you are being protected here by the Act. To tell me that I’m callous, that I’m cold, I don’t think my wife would like that. | Full Transcript and References |
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