Sunday, June 12, 1988

Death in Detention

According to the South African Police, Maisha "Stanza" Bopape, General secretary of the Mamelodi Civic Organisation, was arrested in Hillbrow on June 9, 1988 and "disappeared".

His death at John Vorster Square came to light only at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in March 1997, when 10 security policemen applied for amnesty for his death. Five said they had been involved in his torture, three said they had covered up the reasons for his death and two said they had disposed of his body. It was never found.

Source: Sunday Times Heritage Project