An apartheid-era South African security police commander says ex-President FW de Klerk knew of gross human rights violations during his term of office. Eugene de Kock, jailed for his role in killing anti-apartheid activists, made the accusation a day after Mr De Klerk said that his conscience was clear. Talking from his prison cell to a radio station, he said the ex-president's hands were "soaked in blood".
De Kock said he was prepared to testify in court against Mr de Klerk. He claimed he could list exact instances where the country's last white president gave the order for specific killings. De Kock was nicknamed "Prime Evil" for his role in ordering the killing and maiming of dozens of anti-apartheid activists, often using very cruel methods. He is serving two life sentences in a maximum-security prison in Pretoria.
On Thursday, Mr de Klerk denied ever condoning the elimination of anti-apartheid activists or any other gross human rights violations during his term of office, which began in 1989 and ended in 1994 when Nelson Mandela became president. "I have not only a clear conscience, I am not guilty of any crime whatsoever," Mr de Klerk said while addressing the media in Cape Town. "I have never myself approved murder or the random killing of anybody, or gross violations of human rights."
There has been speculation about Mr de Klerk's knowledge of human rights violations during his term of office since news first broke last week that his former Police Minister, Adriaan Vlok, would face charges relating to the poisoning of the then secretary general of the South African Council of Churches, Reverend Frank Chikane, in 1989. Mr Vlok has admitted to approving the poisoning of the former church leader as well as other human rights violations. He publicly sought forgiveness by washing Rev Chikane's feet in his office last year.
Source: BBC
Showing posts with label Frank Chikane. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Frank Chikane. Show all posts
Friday, July 27, 2007
Jailed policeman accuses De Klerk
An apartheid-era South African security police commander says ex-President FW de Klerk knew of gross human rights violations during his term of office. Eugene de Kock, jailed for his role in killing anti-apartheid activists, made the accusation a day after Mr De Klerk said that his conscience was clear. Talking from his prison cell to a radio station, he said the ex-president's hands were "soaked in blood".
De Kock said he was prepared to testify in court against Mr de Klerk. He said Mr de Klerk's hands were "soaked in blood", and claimed he could list exact instances where the country's last white president gave the order for specific killings. De Kock was nicknamed "Prime Evil" for his role in ordering the killing and maiming of dozens of anti-apartheid activists, often using very cruel methods. He is serving two life sentences in a maximum-security prison in Pretoria.
On Thursday, Mr de Klerk denied ever condoning the elimination of anti-apartheid activists or any other gross human rights violations during his term of office, which began in 1989 and ended in 1994 when Nelson Mandela became president. "I have not only a clear conscience, I am not guilty of any crime whatsoever," Mr de Klerk said while addressing the media in Cape Town. "I have never myself approved murder or the random killing of anybody, or gross violations of human rights."
There has been speculation about Mr de Klerk's knowledge of human rights violations during his term of office since news first broke last week that his former Police Minister, Adriaan Vlok, would face charges relating to the poisoning of the then secretary general of the South African Council of Churches, Reverend Frank Chikane, in 1989. Mr Vlok has admitted to approving the poisoning of the former church leader as well as other human rights violations. He publicly sought forgiveness by washing Rev Chikane's feet in his office last year.
Source: BBC
De Kock said he was prepared to testify in court against Mr de Klerk. He said Mr de Klerk's hands were "soaked in blood", and claimed he could list exact instances where the country's last white president gave the order for specific killings. De Kock was nicknamed "Prime Evil" for his role in ordering the killing and maiming of dozens of anti-apartheid activists, often using very cruel methods. He is serving two life sentences in a maximum-security prison in Pretoria.
On Thursday, Mr de Klerk denied ever condoning the elimination of anti-apartheid activists or any other gross human rights violations during his term of office, which began in 1989 and ended in 1994 when Nelson Mandela became president. "I have not only a clear conscience, I am not guilty of any crime whatsoever," Mr de Klerk said while addressing the media in Cape Town. "I have never myself approved murder or the random killing of anybody, or gross violations of human rights."
There has been speculation about Mr de Klerk's knowledge of human rights violations during his term of office since news first broke last week that his former Police Minister, Adriaan Vlok, would face charges relating to the poisoning of the then secretary general of the South African Council of Churches, Reverend Frank Chikane, in 1989. Mr Vlok has admitted to approving the poisoning of the former church leader as well as other human rights violations. He publicly sought forgiveness by washing Rev Chikane's feet in his office last year.
Source: BBC
Monday, September 10, 1990
Police in South Africa Fire on Soweto Crowd
A total of 32 people died in fighting between black factions since Saturday, reports said. Hundreds have died since the violence in black townships near Johannesburg began less than one month ago.
Residents accused supporters of the conservative Zulu movement Inkatha of starting the nighttime attack with police help. They also said masked white men had taken part in the assault on the Tladi squatter camp in Soweto. The head of the South African Council of Churches, the Rev. Frank Chikane, visited the camp and said he had seen enough to know that ''police are involved in killing us.'' The police fought running battles with residents who hurled rocks and firebombs throughout the morning near the camp in the sprawling township southwest of Johannesburg.
Source: New York Times
Residents accused supporters of the conservative Zulu movement Inkatha of starting the nighttime attack with police help. They also said masked white men had taken part in the assault on the Tladi squatter camp in Soweto. The head of the South African Council of Churches, the Rev. Frank Chikane, visited the camp and said he had seen enough to know that ''police are involved in killing us.'' The police fought running battles with residents who hurled rocks and firebombs throughout the morning near the camp in the sprawling township southwest of Johannesburg.
Source: New York Times
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