i.l. - historical papers, wits university · 1 18.6.95 sapa wire 08-1^ : a brief police comment...
TRANSCRIPT
i.l.
POLICE VERSION OF THE MASSACRE
1 ■ 18.6.95
S A P A w i r e 0 8 - 1 ^ : A b r i e f p o l i c e c o m m e n t t h a t 15 p e o p l e h a v e b e e n
k i l l e d in B o i p a t o n g .
S A P A w i r e 0 8 —17 : E u g e n e O p p e r m a n s a y s t h a t t h e S A P c o n d e m n t h e
a t t a c k a n d t h a t t h e r e a r e a l l e g a t i o n s f r o m r e s i d e n t s t h a t t h e
a t t a c k w a s c a r r i e d o u t b y I n k a t h a s u p p o r t e r s f r o m K w a M a d a l a
h o s t e l .
S A P A w i r e 0 8 - 5 2 : V a a l T r i a n g l e P o l i c e l i a i s o n O f f i c e r C a p t a i n
P i e t V a n D e v e n t e r s a y s t h a t a p p r o x i m a t e l y 2 0 0 p e o p l e ( a l l e g e d to
b e I F P s u p p o r t e r s f r o m K w a M a d a l a H o s t e l ) w e n t o n r a m p a g e at
a r o u n d 1 1 . p m o y t 1 7 t h J u n e 1 9 9 2 .
S A P A w i r e 1 1 - 1 3 : C a p t a i n C r a i g K o t z e , P u b l i c i t y O f f i c e r f o r t h e
D e p a r t m e n t o f L a w a n d O r d e r s a y s t h a t t h e A N C M a s s A c t i o n
c a m p a i g n p u s h e d u p p o l i t i c a l t e m p e r a t u r e s a n d " c r e a t e d a c l i m a t e
w h i c h c a n m a d e i n c i d e n t s s u c h a s t h e s e t h a t m u c h e a s i e r to
h a p p e n " .
S A P A w i r e 1 5 - 0 ^ : T h e S o u t h A f r i c a n P o l i c e a n n o u n c e t h a t t h e y
h a v e s e t u p a t o l l - f r e e c o n f i d e n t i a l n u m b e r to w h i c h m e m b e r s of
t h e p u b l i c a r e i n v i t e d to c a l l s h o u l d t h e y h a v e a n y i n f o r m a t i o n
t h a t c o u l d a s s i s t t h e p o l i c e i n s o l v i n g t h e c r i m e . ( c o p y o f
p o l i c e s t a t e m e n t e n c l o s e d a s S A P 1 ) .
- 2 -
S A P A w i r e 1 5 - 3 2 : T h e C o m m i s s i o n e r o f t h e S A P , G e n e r a l J o h a n V a n
d e r h e r w e , i s s u e s a p r e s s s t a t e m e n t e x p r e s s i n g h i s c o n c e r n a t t h e
m a s s a c r e . H e a n n o u n c e s t h a t h e h a s i n s t r u c t e d M a j o r . J o h a n n e s
G l o o i in h i s c a p a c i t y a s C o m m a n d e r o f t h e S p e c i a l I n v e s t i g a t i o n
U n i t e s t a b l i s h e d u n d e r t h e N a t i o n a l P e a c e A c c o r d , to t a k e c h a r g e
o f t h e s p e c i a l i n v e s t i g a t i o n i n t o t h e m a s s a c r e . ( c o p y o f p r e s s
s t a t e m e n t e n c l o s e d a s S A P 2 >.
S A P A w i r e 2 1 - 5 2 : T h e S o u t h A f r i c a n P o l i c e i s s u e a p r e s s
s t a t e m e n t s a y i n g t h a t a p o l i c e u n i t u n d e r t h e C o m m a n d e r o f M a j o r
G e n e r a l G e r r i t E r a s m u s h a s c o n d u c t e d a s y s t e m a t i c s e a r c h o f
K w a M a d a l a H o s t e l . A n u m b e r o f w e a p o n s h a v e b e e n s e i z e d a n d h a v e
b e e n s e n t f o r f o r e r i s i c t e s t s . A n d t h e p o l i c e r e p e a t t h e i r c a l l
f o r p e o p l e to p r o v i d e i n f o r m a t i o n a t t h e t o l l - f r e e n u m b e r ( c o p y
o f p r e s s s t a t e m e n t e n c l o s e d a s S A P 3 ).
S A P A w i r e 2 2 - ^ 0 : C a p t a i n E u g e n e O p p e r m a n s a y s t h a t t h e P e a c e
A c t i o n w a r n i n g o f v i o l e n c e r e f e r r e d to in a t t a c k i n g S e b o k e n g Z o n e
11 a n d t h a t p o l i c e o f f i c e r s w e r e i m m e d i a t e l y s e n t o u t to
i n v e s t i g a t e , t h a t w h e n t h e y a r r i v e d in Z o n e 11 t h e r e w a s n o
v i o l e n c e at a l l .
- 3 -
S A P A w i r e 1 ^ - 5 9 : L i e u t e n a n t V a n d e r M e r w e i s s u e s a p r e s s
s t a t e m e n t s a y i n g t h a t t h e h o s t e l r e s i d e n t s a r e b e i n g c o n f i n e d to
k w a M a d a 1 a u n d e r p o l i c e g u a r d a n d t h a t M a j o r G e n e r a l G l o o i is
i n v e s t i g a t i n g t h e m a s s a c r e i n t h e h o s t e l w i t h 2 0 0 e x p e r i e n c e d
d e t e c t i v e s . ( c o p y o f p r e s s s t a t e m e n t e n c l o s e d a s SAP^t > .
S A P A w i r e 1 6 - 3 3 : C o l o n e l G o u w s t e l l a n A N C d e m o n s t r a t i o n t h a t
h a s m a r c h e d to h i s o f f i c e s i n B r a a m f o n t e i n t h a t t h e P e a c e A c t i o n
t i p o f f w i t h r e g a r d to Z o n e 11 S e b o k e n g a n d t h a t p o l i c e m e n w e r e
s e n t p r o m p t l y to Z o n e 11 b u t f o u n d e v e r y t h i n g q u i e t .
S A P A w i r e 2 3 - 0 5 : M a j o r H a r r o l d t d e n i e s e a r l i e r r e p o r t s in t h a t
t h e c o n f i n m e n t o f K w a M a d a l a h a d b e e n l i f t e d .
JUNE 55 1995
S A P A w i r e 1 5 - 5 3 : A p o l i c e s p o k e s p e r s o n c o n f i r m e s t h a t k w a M a d a l a
H o s t e l is s t i l l u n d e r p o l i c e s i e g e .
S A P A w i r e 1 7—3 5 : A n u m b e r o f p o l i c e g e n e r a l s b r i e f f o r e i g n
e n v o y s o n t h e p o l i c e v e r s i o n o f t h e m a s s a c r e a t a c l o s e d m e e t i n g
in P r e t o r i a . (GET DETAILS OF THE MEETING FROM FOREIGN DIPLOMATS) .
19.6.95
/ . /
- -
S A P A w i r e 1 9 - 2 9 : T h e p o l i c e a n n o u n c e t h a t t h e y h a v e a r r e s t e d 5
K w a M a d a l a r e s i d e n t s in c o n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e m a s s a c r e . C a p t a i n
C r a i g K o t z e m a k e s a n e w a p p e a l to t h e c o m m u n i t y to c o - o p e r a t e
w i t h t h e p o l i c e in t h e i r i n v e s t i g a t i o n s .
23,6.1992
T h e p o l i c e a n n o u n c e t h a t A d v . V a n d e r M e r w e a n d T a u t i ■from t h e
A t t o r n e y - G e n e r a l ’s o f f i c e a r e j o i n i n g t h e i n v e s t i g a t i o n t e a m i n t o
t h e m a s s a c r e . T h e p o l i c e o n c e a g a i n s t a t e t h a t t h e y a r e
e x p e r i e n c i n g p r o b l e m s in o b t a i n i n g t h e c o o p e r a t i o n o f p e o p l e w h o
w e r e i n j u r e d in t h e a t t a c k a s w e l l a s o f o t h e r p o s s i b l e w i t n e s s e s
a n d r e p e a t t h e i r a p p e a l f o r i n f o r m a t i o n to b e f u r n i s h e d v i a t h e
t o l l - f r e e n u m b e r ( c o p y o f m e d i a s t a t e m e n t e n c l o s e d a s S A P S ) .
26.6.92
G e n e r a l V a n d e r M e r w e i s s u e s a p r e s s s t a t e m e n t c o m p l a i n i n g a b o u t
c e r t a i n r e p o r t s o f t h e a l l e g a t i o n s t h a t K O E V O E T w a s i n v o l v e d in
t h e m a s s a c r e . H e s t a t e s t h a t t h e i n v e s t i g a t i o n is m a k i n g g o o d
p r o g r e s s a n d t h a t t h e r e is n o w e v i d e n c e t h a t c e r t a i n r e s i d e n t s of
K w a M a d a l a w e r e i n v o l v e d in t h e a t t a c k b u t t h a t t h e r e is n o
e v i d e n c e w h a t s o e v e r o f a n y K o e v o e t i n v o l v e m e n t . ( C o p y o f p r e s s
s t a t e m e n t e n c l o s e d a s S A P 6 ) .
1. a.
- 5 -
I f^ f lG !H A _ V jE B S Ij9 N S _ C E M T R E B . _QR TJHE_J1A S S A C R E
1 8 . 6 . 9 2
S A P A w i r e 1 6 - 4 6 : T h e m b a K h o z a d e n i e s a n y l i n k b e t w e e n t h e
m a s s a c r e a n d t h e I n k a t h a F r e e d o m P a r t y a n d t h e n c a l l s o n t h e A M C
to p r o d u c e c o n c r e t e e v i d e n c e o f i n v o l v e m e n t o f h o s t e l r e s i d e n t s
in t h e m a s s a c r e . K h o z a p o i n t e d o u t t h a t t h e h o s t e l w a s s e v e r a l
k i l o m e t r e s a w a y f r o m S l o v o P a r k s q u a t t e r c a m p a n d t h a t " i t is
l u d i c r o u s to s u g g e s t t h a t a t t a c k e r s f r o m K w a M a d a l a c o u l d t r a v e l
t h a t d i s t a n c e i n t o t h e t o w n s h i p u n d e t e c t e d b y s e c u r i t y f o r c e s .
K h o z a s t a t e d t h a t t h e 1 F P d i s a s s o c i a t e d i t s e l f f r o m t h e m a s s a c r e
a n d c o n d e m n e d it u n e q u i v o c a l l y . H e s u g g e s t e d t h a t IFP
s u p p o r t e r s m a y h a v e b e e n a m o n g t h e v i c t i m s o f t h e m a s s a c r e . H e
s t a t e f u r t h e r t h a t t h e i n c r e a s i n g e v i d e n c e t h a t t h e l o c a l A M C
l e a d e r s h i p w a s i n v o l v e d in v i o l e n c e in t h e a r e a a n d r e f e r r e d to
i n c i d e n t s in B o i p a t o n g o n 6 t h M a y 1 9 9 2 a n d 2 6 t h M a y 1 9 9 2 w h e n
m e m b e r s o f t h e I n k a t h a s u p p o r t i n g S i b i y a f a m i l y in B o i p a t o n g w e r e
a t t a c k e d a n d k i l l e d a l l e g e d l y b y A M C m e m b e r s , ( c o p y o f l e n g t h y
p r e s s s t a t e m e n t e n c l o s e d a s I F P 1 )
19.6.95
S A P A w i r e 1 3 - 4 2 : T h e p o l i c e a r e d e n i e d a c c e s s to K w a M a d a l a
H o s t e l . A r e p r e s e n t a t i v e o f t h e K w a Z u l u G o v e r n m e n t V i t h u s
F i y a t h i , U . S . M v e l a s e a r r i v e s a n d s p e a k e r s to h o s t e l r e s i d e n t s
i n s i d e t h e h o s t e l . H e r e t u r n s to s a y t h a t r e s i d e n t s w i l l o n l y
a g r e e to b e q u e s t i o n e d b y t h e p o l i c e i n t h e p r e s e n c e o f t h e i r
1 a w y e r .
S A P A w i r e 15-^tl : T h e m b a K h o z a a d d r e s s e s t h e r e s i d e n t s at
K w a M a d a l a i n s i d e t h e h o s t e l a n d e m e r g e s to c o m p l a i n to s u p p o r t e r s
t h a t r e s i d e n t s a r e b e i n g d e n i e d t h e i r c i v i l r i g h t s b y t h e p o l i c e
c o n f i n e m e n t . ( a n I n k a t h a p r e s s r e l e a s e a n n o u n c i n g t h a t C o m r a d e s
T h e m b a K h o z a a n d H u m p h r e y N d l o v u w i l l h o l d a m a s s m e e t i n g at
K w a M a d a l a H o s t e l is e n c l o s e d a s I F P 2 )
S A P A w i r e : B u t h e l e z i c o n d e m n s m a s s a c r e a n d s t a t e s t h a t no
l e a d e r s h i p s t r u c t u r e in I n k a t h a h a d a n y k n o w l e d g e o f t h e m a s s a c r e
b e f o r e it t o o k p l a c e . (a l e n g t h y p r e s s s t a t e m e n t b y B u t h e l e z i ,
i n c l u d i n g s e v e r a l s t a t e m e n t a b o u t t h e A N C i s e n c l o s e d a s I F P 3)
51.6.95
S A P A w i r e 2 3 - 0 0 : I n k a t h a r e p r e s e n t a t i v e N g u b a n i s a y s o n t h e
a g e n d a t h a t n o I n k a t h a s t r u c t u r e p l a y e d a n y p a r t in t h e m a s s a c r e
n o r a n y I n k a t h a l e a d e r h a s a n o k n o w l e d g e o f t h e a t t a c k .
- 6 -
/•p2
aa.6.9a
S A P A w i r e 1 9 - 3 5 : In a l e n g t h y p r e s s s t a t e m e n t B u t h e l e z i s a y s
i n t e r a l i a t h a t t h e r e h a s b e e n n o I F P d e c i s i o n a t a n y n a t i o n a l ,
r e g i o n o r l o c a l s t r u c t u r e to e v o k e v i o l e n c e f o r p o l i t i c a l
p u r p o s e s " l i t t l e a n d t h e v i o l e n c e o f s u c h x x x x x p r e c a u t i o n s in
B o i p a t o n g " ( c o p y o f p r e s s s t a t e m e n t a t t a c h e d a s I F P ^ ).
S A P A w i r e 2 0 - 2 5 : A r e s o l u t i o n o f t h e c e n t r a l c o m m i t t e e of
I n k a t h a p r o c l a i m s t h e I n k a t h a i n n o c e n c e in t h e B o i p a t o n g M a s s a c r e
a n d r e j e c t s t h e p o l i c e a s s u m p t i o n t h a t I n k a t h a w a s r e s p o n s i b l e
f o r t h e a t t a c k s s i m p l y b e c a u s e I n k a t h a d o m i n a t e s n u m e r i c a l l y in
t h e h o s t e l f r o m w h i c h it is a l l e g e d t h a t t h e a t t a c k s w e r e m a d e
( c o p y o f r e s o l u t i o n a t t a c h e d a s I F P 1)
ANC VERSIONS QN THE MASSACRE 1 3
1 8 . 2 . 9 2
- 7 -
S A P A w i r e O B - M : S a m M o d i b e d i o f t h e V a a l B r a n c h s a y s t h a t t h e
m a s s a c r e w a s p e r p e t r a t e d b y r e s i d e n t s o f K w a M a d a l a a l l e g e d l y
a s s i s t e d b y t h e p o l i c e .
/ • 3
S A P A w i r e 0 9 - 3 0 : T h e P W V R e g i o n i s s u e s a s t a t e m e n t s a y i n g t h a t
t h e a t t a c k w a s c a r r i e d o u t b y i m p i s f r o m K w a M a d a l a H o s t e l
a l l e g e d l y o f f l o a d e d f r o m p o l i c e c a s s p i r s . T h e s t a t e m e n t a l l e g e s
t h a t t h e p o l i c e w e r e n o t i f i e d b y P e a c e A c t i o n b u t d i d n o t h e e d
t h e w a r n i n g s i g n a l s a n d t h a t a m b u l a n c e d r i v e r s h a d t o l d t h e
b r a n c h t h a t o n t h e n i g h t o f t h e m a s s a c r e t h e y w e r e u n d e r o r d e r s
n o t to l e a v e t h e a m b u l a n c e s t a t i o n e v e n w h e n t h e y r e c e i v e d c a l l s
to c o l l e c t t h e v i c t i m s .
- 8 -
S A P A w i r e 1 6 - 3 5 : C y r i l R a m a p h o s a c h a r g e s t h e G o v e r n m e n t w i t h
c o m p l i c i t y in t h e m a s s a c r e . H e s a y s t h a t t h e n e g o t i a t i o n s a r e
b e i n g j e o p a r d i z e d b y t h e G o v e r n m e n t ’s a c t i o n s . H e s a y s t h a t t h e
g o v e r n m e n t is m a k i n g i n n o c e n t p a y f o r t h e A N C ’s M a s s A c t i o n
C a m p a i g n . T h e g o v e r n m e n t ’s a g e n d a is to n e g o t i a t e w i t h a n A N C
w h i c h is x x x x x a n d w h i c h h a s n o f o l l o w i n g b e c a u s e o f t o w n s h i p
k i l l i n g s . J o e S l o v o s t a t e d t h a t t h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l c o m m u n i t y
s h o u l d n o t w e l c o m e D e K l e r k w h e n h i s h a n d s a r e f u l l o f b l o o d .
S A P A w i r e 2 1 - 0 7 : S l o v o s t a t e s t h a t D e K l e r k ’s d e s i g n is to
c r e a t e a n a t m o s p h e r e in w h i c h t h i s r e g i m e c a n c o n t i n u e to r e m a i n
o n p o w e r .
f-3
S A P A w i r e 1 6—3 3 : C y r i l l e a d s a m a r c h o f a p p r o x i m a t e l y a
t h o u s a n d p e o p l e to t h e o f f i c e s o f C o l o n e l G o u w s i n B r a a m f o n t e i n
to d e m a n d to k n o w w h y t h e p o l i c e t o o k n o a c t i o n o n P a u l V e r r y n .
S A P A w i r e 2 0 - 4 6 : A n A N C p r e s s s t a t e m e n t o n t h e m a s s a c r e c o n d e m n s
t h e r e m a r k s o f C a p t a i n K o t z e o n b e h a l f o f M i n i s t e r K r i e l . " t h e
A N C p l a c e s t h e b l a m e s q u a r e l y o n t h e s h o u l d e r s o f M r . D e K l e r k w h o
d e c l a r e d in T o k y o r e c e n t l y t h a t h i s g o v e r n m e n t h a d a p l a n to
c o u n t e r M a s s A c t i o n . . . t h e u n p r o v o k e d s l a u g h t e r o f i n n o c e n t
p e o p l e b y h o a r d s w h o m e y e w i t n e s s e s s w e a r w e r e f e r r i e d in p o l i c e
v e h i c l e s a p p e a r s to b e t h e s e n d p h a s e o f t h a t p l a n " ( L e n g t h y
p r e s s s t a t e m e n t e n c l o s e d a s A N C 1 )
S A C P p r e s s s t a t e m e n t a l l e g e s t h a t D e K l e r k ’s v i s i t to LJlundi o n
J u n e 16 1 9 9 2 s e n t a m a s s a g e to e v e r y w a r l o r d a n d to e v e r y d e a t h
s q u a d a n d t h a t m e s s a g e c o n t r i b u t e d to t h e B o i p a t o n g m a s s a c r e .
( c o p y o f p r e s s s t a t e m e n t e n c l o s e d a s S A C P 1 )
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S A P A w i r e 1 2 - 2 4 : A n A N C s t a t e m e n t c o n d e m n s D e K l e r k ’s v i s i t to
B o i p a t o n g a n d c a l l s f o r t h e d i s m i s s a l o f l o c a l p o l i c e c o m m a n d e r s
a s t h e y a r e i n c o m p e t e n t .
S A P A w i r e 1 9 - 5 0 : A t a m a s s r a l l y in E v a t o n , M a n d e l a s t a t e s "I
c a n n o l o n g e r e x p l a i n to o u r p e o p l e w h y w e c o n t i n u e t o t a l k to
t h e G o v e r n m e n t w h i c h is m u r d e r i n g o u r p e o p l e " H e a l l e g e s f u r t h e r
t h a t t h e k i l l i n g s w e r e c a u s e d b y F . W . ’s c o n t i n g e n c y p l a n s to
c o u n t e r M a s s A c t i o n . H e s t a t e s t h a t t h e r e is a h o l o c a u s t a n d
t h a t " D e K l e r k , t h e N a t i o n a l P a r t y a n d t h e I n k a t h a a r e k i l l i n g
p e o p l e b e c a u s e t h e y a r e B l a c k " .
GOVERNMENT VERSIONS ON THE MASSACRE /» Lh.
1 8 . 6 . 9 2
S A P A w i r e 2 0 - 3 5 : D e K l e r k c o n d e m n s t h e m a s s a c r e a n d s t a t e s t h a t
t h e G o v e r n m e n t w i l l n o t r e s t u n t i l p e r p e t r a t o r s h a v e b e e n b r o u g h t
to j u s t i c e .
19.6.95
S A P A w i r e 2 1 - 2 9 : K r i e l s t a t e s t h a t t h e G o v e r n m e n t w i l l d e m a n d
a n a p o l o g y if t h e A N C 's c l a i m s a b o u t p o l i c e c o l l u s i o n p r o v e to b e
u n f o u n d e d . H e s a y s t h a t t h e r e is n o t r u t h in t h e c h a r g e t h a t
p o l i c e f e r r i e d t h e i m p i s i n t o B o i p a t o n g in C a s s p i r s .
- 10 -
51/6/95
S A P A w i r e 2 0 - 2 5 : P i k B o t h a s t a t e s t h a t t h e A N C k n e w t h a t M a s s
- 1 1 -
51 .6.95
c h a n g e t h e c l i m a t e o f v i o l e n c e .
S A P A w i r e 2 1 - 5 9 : K r i e l o n A g e n d a s t a t e s t h a t h e h a s n o d o u b t
t h a t t h e m a s s a c r e s t e m s f r o m M a s s A c t i o n . H e s a y s t h a t v i o l e n c e
in t h e t o w n s h i p s is a b o u t p a s t t r o u b l e b e t w e e n t h e A N C a n d t h e
I n k a t h a .
ISCDR* S RESPONSES TO THE MASSACRE /, £
1 9 . 6 . 9 2
S A P A w i r e 1 7 - 3 8 : I s c o r e x p r e s s e s s h o c k a t t h e m a s s a c r e * h i s
s p o k e s p e r s o n s a y s t h e r e is n o e v i d e n c e c o n f i r m i n g t h a t r e s i d e n t s
o f K w a M a d a l a w e r e i n v o l v e d i n t h e m a s s a c r e . I s c o r s a y s it w o n ’t
c o m m e n t o n t h e a l l e g a t i o n s u n t i l t h e S A P i n v e s t i g a t i o n h a s b e e n
c o m p l e t e d , ( c o p y o f p r e s s s t a t e m e n t e n c l o s e d a s II).
S A P A w i r e 1 5 - 5 3 : I s c o r s t a t e s t h a t it w i l l c o o p e r a t e f u l l y w i t h
S o u t h A f r i c a n P o l i c e . It s a y s t h a t t h e r e is n o e v i d e n c e a l i n k
b e t w e e n t h e m a s s a c r e a n d K w a M a d a l a H o s t e l a n d t h a t it w i l l n o t
c o m m e n t o n t h i s i s s u e a g a i n u n t i l t h e e n d o f t h e p o l i c e
i n v e s t i g a t i o n .
5 3 . 6 . 9 5
A n I s c o r p r e s s r e l e a s e q u o t e s m a n a g i n g d i r e c t o r M r . W i l l e m V a n W y k
a s f o l l o w s : " i n v o l v e m e n t o f t h e r e s i d e n t s o f K w a M a d a l a H o s t e l
i n d i v i d u a l l y w a s g r o u p i n d e e d s o t h e x x x x x x x x x x x h a s y e t n o t b e e n
c o n f i r m e d . H o w e v e r , t h e r e a r e m e m b e r s o f t h e c o m m u n i t y w h o
o p p o s e t h e e x i s t e n c e o f K w a M a d a l a f o r t h i s r e a s o n , a n d p r o m o t e a n
w i n - w i n a p p r o a c h I s c o r h a s d e c i d e d to c l o s e t h i s h o s t e l a s s o o n
a s r e s i d e n t s c a n b e m o v e d in a c c e p t a b l e a n d h u m a n e w a y to
K w a M a s i z a . . . I s c o r a c c e p t s n o r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r t h e u n l a w f u l
b e h a v i o r o f a n y o f its e m p l o y e e s . " ( c o p y o f p r e s s r e l e a s e
e n c 1o s e d 12)
18-JUN-1992 14=4? OPENBfiRE BETREKKINGE SAP
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Faks 012-3265162 PRETORIA
i R r l a t t o n s
SOUTH AFRICAN POLICETel 012-3268300
The SA Police appeals to all persons who have information in connection with the brutal murders of 35 persons at Boipatong (Vanderbijlpark) on 1992-06-18 to assist the police in their effort to apprehend the perpetrators.
NEWS MEDIA STATEMENT
A toll-free number has been provided and members of the public are invited to make use of this number should they have any information that could help the police in solving these heinous crimes. The toll-free number is 0800 11 12 13. Information received will be treated as confidential and callers need not identify themselves, should they so choose.
TO : ALL MEDIA
1992-05-18
■ ^f\f kI N '
18-JUN-1992 16:20 OPENBARE BETREKKINGE SAP 012 32651S2 P.01/01
PRESS STATEMENT BY THE COMMISSIONER OF THE SA POLICE, GENERAL
JOHAN VAN DER M E R W E .
CAPE TOWN - 1992-06-18.
I am most concerned at the tragic and t T r l i a n l l lnumber of people in Boipatong township in the Vaal Tria g
t o d a y .
S ' S ? T o ll" £
5 ; oyh i in” i f cSp « i t * a s i o ^ a d ^ c f t S e ^ ^ c i a i ^ n v M t i g a t i " S i n ’, established in t « * of th. National Peace Accord. take personal charge of the investigation.
The purpose of the investigation will be to ^ L e a i b i f t I
;» « i i c e 9Stha? ^ i T ^ o r V l l U l ^ Sill be iade
in this regard.
R e i n f o r c e m e n t s have also been sent to the area to restore law and o r d e r .
I wish to also make an urgent appeal for calm in the• fj-e* f^iarne all concerned not to take any actions which could further inflame what is already an extremely volatile situation.
3-JUN-1992 19:12 OPENBARE BETREKK INGE SAP
Sf\P 3
SUID-AFRIKAANSE POLKFaks 012-3266162 PRETORIA
i M r e k k t n g pSOUTH AFRICAN POLICE
Tel 012-3268300
$ubitr iR e l u t i o n s
10 : ALL MEDIA
1992-06-18
NEWS MEDIA STATB EtSTT
ATTACK CN B0IPAKH3 CN 1992-06-18
A police unit under the personal contend of Maj-Gen Gerrit Erasmus, Regional Ccmdssioner Witwatersrand, has conducted a thorough and systematical search of hostels in Boipatong.
The purpose of the search was to seize all dangerous weapons and arrest *11 persons who may be involved in the attack on residents in Boipatong. A number of hare-made dangerous weapons have been seized, which will be sent for forensic tests. No arrests have been made at this stage.
-i e SA Police will do everything possible to trace the perpetrators and bring them before court.
An urgent appeal is made to all persons to remain -calm and not to Lake the law into their own hands. Any person /with information that could assist the SA Police with their investigations is requested to phone 0800 11 12 13. Information received will be treated as confidential and callers need not identify themselves, should they so choose.
i-JUN-1992 14:30 OPEr itflRE BETRE-'V. ] i .uE SAP
SflPij-012 3265162 P.01/01
Q D p n t b a r p
T 3 e t r p k k \ n q e
$ublir iRHattcmsSUID-AFRIKAANSE POUISIE ▼ SOUTH AFRICAN P ° L1CE
Ftks 012-3265162 PRETORIA Tel 012-3268300
AAN : ALLE MEDIA
1992-06-19
mi71 TOdTT TAVKftKLARXNG DEUR DIE KCM'HSSAPJS VAN DIE SA PQLISIE, GBjL VAN PER MERWE
Die ondersoekspen cmder leiding van genl-rrej Gloy is met 200 (arvans gpeurders asngevul an dit vir die cndersoekspan troontlik te maak om alle verdagte persons deeglik te ondervra.
Die inwoners van die KWAMADALA hostel wat daazvan beskuldig word dat hulle die tnoorde op 1992-06-17 te Boipatong g®pleeg h®t, w r d kragtens ' bevol wat deux' die StreekkorrrniSS&jris van di® Witwaterarand ingevolge die Onrusregulasies uitgereik is , tot di« hostel beperk waar hulle tans bewaak word.
Die SA Polisie werp all*s in die stxyd cm die persone wat die : moorde te Boipatong gepleeg het, so spoedig moontlik aan die kaak
te s t e l -
3 -JU N -1 9 5 2 1 1 : 08 OPENBARE BETREKKINGE SAP 012 3265162 P .01/01
© r r p r t b a r ? J p f l l L i B e f r ^ k k t r t g e TgSgsg • i K F l a x t o n s
SUID-AFRIKAANSE POLISIE ™ SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE Faks 012-3266162 PRETORIA Tel 012-3268300______
To : All Media
1992-06-23
NEWS MEDIA STATEMENT
INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE BOIPATONG MASSACRE
Tine investigation team comprising 200 experienced detectives is working around the clock, in order to bring to book the perpetrators of the murders ccrrroitted in Boipatong. Advocates van der Merwe and Tauti frctn the office of the Transvaal Attorney-General, will today join the investigation team in order to assist with the examination of the evidence and the management of the investigation.
The Kwa-Madala Hostel is still being guarded but with the help of computer information which has been made available by Iscor, it has been established which of the occupants are above suspicion. These persons will be permitted to leave the hostel.
The police are presently experiencing serious problems in obtaining the co-operation of people who were injured, as well as that of other possible witnesses. An urgent appeal is made to all the residents of Boipatong to assist the police and to furnish them with all possible information. We are sincerely anxious to solve the killings and request anybody with information to make use of the Toll Free number 0800 11 12 13 or to contact the investigating officers directly.
01\nb\boipat
6-JUN-1992 17:03 UrtN BHKt BtTktKKINLat Shir 012 3265162
EMBARGO : INMEDIATEPRESS STATEMENT BY THE COMMISSIONER OP THE SA POLICE, GENERAL JOHAN VAN DER MERWE.
I have taken note of r . . . , 3 that evidence put
before the Golds tone_J^c[mmiss ion indicates that members of the SA
Police Crime/‘fntelligence^)Service Support Unit - stationed at
Rooiberg and referred to as 'Koevoet'- were involved in the
Boipatong massacre.
As reported, I have ordered that approximately 200 experienced
detectives immediately investigate the Boipatong incident.
In view of unbalanced Press reports on Goldstone Commission
proceedings in the past, I instructed legal representatives of
the SA Police to request the chairman of the sub-committee
investigating the above allegations - and which began proceedings
yesterday - to first hear all the evidence before it is made
p u b l i c .
This request was refused by the committee, but the chairman did
request the Press to publish a balanced version of the viewpoints
of the various parties involved.
These parties were also given an opportunity to put, in broad
terms and through their legal representatives, their viewpoint
to the Commission. Notwithstanding this, it would seem that
balanced reporting has not taken place throughout.
An additional reason for my request was that the SA Police's
preliminary investigation into the Boipatong incident was making
good progress, had produced evidence of how the massacre unfolded
and that certain residents of the KwaMadala hostel were involved.
I wish to emphasise that the Police investigation has produced
no evidence whatsoever which might indicate the involvement of
former Koevoet members in the Boipatong incident.
1992-06-26
2 6 -JLJN-1992 1 7 :1 0 OPENBARE BETREKKINGE SAP 012 3265162 P .03/03
- 2 -
The SA Police has serious objections to the fact that certain
persons and newspapers have used the Goldstone Commission
proceedings for anti-SA Police propaganda purposes.
The modus operandi of the Commission is that preliminary
investigations take place with a view to determining the
parameters of the investigation.
During this preliminary phase, only evidence-in-chief is heard
and no cross-questioning is allowed. This can result in untested
evidence being placed before the Commission. Such untested
evidence is then presented as fact and in a one-sided fashion by
certain newspapers.
j wish to point out that a number of black policemen have been
murdered - and their homes burned down - and that the manner in
which untested allegations are presented in certain Press reports
can only be described as a hate campaign against the SA Police.
Concerning allegations against former Koevoet memoe^-S, X wish to
point out that, as has been reported on a number of occasions by
N the media, they are at present deployed for normal crime
combating duties. They have already mace a major contribution to
the prevention and solving of serious crimes.
Unbalanced reporting places this unit at a disadvantage and
endangers the lives of its members.
I am convinced that the SA Police will be able to prove that
claims of ex-Koevoet involvement in the Boipatong incident are
flagrant lies aimed at discrediting the SA Police.
I again wish to make an urgent appeal to the Press to refrain
from creating negative perceptions, based on untested
allegations, of the SA Police.
-*-+-♦ SAPA JHB 0 0 0 1
I f ? I
D.i.
ATTENTION NEWS DESK/URGENT NEWS DESS
FROM: INKATHA FREEDOM PASTY
PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE r e l e a s e
Durban I8-8-1S32 m a s s a c r e . ..one
TES INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY HAS ANGRILY REJECTED ALLEGATIONS BLAMING' KWAMADALA HOSTEL RESIDENTS FOR LAST NIGHT'S MASSACRE OF SQUATTER CAM? RESIDENTS IN THE VAAL TRIANGLE TOWNSHIP OF BOIPATONG.
TRANSVAAL REGIONAL EXECUTIVE M E M B E R , MR THEMBA KHOZA. SAID THE PARTY VIEWED TEE UNFOUNDED ALLEGATIONS AS IRRESPONSIBLE IN TEE E X T R E M E , ESPECIALLY IN THE LIGHT OF THE- INCREASINGLY VOLATILE CLIMATE SPARKED BY THE ANC'S CAMPAIGN OF MASS MOBIL I Z A T I O N .
"SUCE RECKLESS ALLEGATIONS ARE CALCULATED TO INCITE FURTHER VIOLENCE," EE SAID.
"WE ARE HORRIFIED THAT THE ATTACKERS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS KWAMADALA HOSTEL INMATES ON THE MERE ASSUMPTION THAT THEY WEES ALLEGEDLY ZOLD-SPSAKING. WE REJECT THIS CRUDE LINK WITH THE CONTEMPT IT D E S E R V E S , “ MR K'iOzA A D D E D .
“TES TENDENCY TO AUTOMATICALLY JUMP TO CERTAIN CONCLUSIONS AFTER ^FESE ATTACKS AND TO USE THE HOSTEL RESIDENTS AS A CONVENIENT SCAPEGOAT DESPITE TEERE BEING NO EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THOSE CONCLUSIONS, IS OUTRAGEOUS.“
“W3 THEREFORE CHALLENGE THE ANC TO SUBSTANTIATE TESIR ALLEGATIONS BY PROVIDING CONCRETE EVIDENCE OF HOSTEL RESIDENT INVOLVEMENT," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE HOSTEL WAS KILOMETRES AWAY FROM BOIPATONG SQUATTER C A M ? .
"IT IS LUDICROUS TO SUGGEST THAT ATTACKERS FROM KWAMADALA COULD TRAVEL THAT DISTANCE INTO TES TOWNSHIP UNDETECTED BY SECURITY F O R C E S ." •
"UNTIL FURTHER POLICE INVESTIGATIONS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED, RESPONSIBILITY FOR TEE ATTACK CANNOT BE ATTRIBUTED TO ANY PARTICULAR ORGANISATION," HE ADDED.
HE SAID TES INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY COMPLETELY DISSOCIATED ITSELF FROM L a s t NIGHT'S MASSACRE a n d - WISHED t o p l a c e i t o n r e c o r d t h a t THE PARTY CONDEMNED THE SENSELESS ATTACK IN THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE T E RMS.
2/MORE. . .
06 18/92 16:16 SAP A JHB
I f f
® 0 0 2
massacre .. ."two
HR KHOZA EXTENDED THE PASTY'S DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FAMILIES AND LOVED O N E S .
EE SAID THE ATTACK AT FACE VALUE APPEARED TO BE RANDOMLY DIRECTED AT INNOCENT RESIDENTS AND NOT AT THOSE ALIGNED TO A N Y ONE PASTICULAR ORGANISATION.
MS KHOZA SAID THE IE? HAD A SOLID MEMBERSHIP BASS IN BOIPATONG AND UNCONFIRMED REPORTS SUGGESTED THAT IE? MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS COULD HAVE BEEN AMONG THOSE SLAIN.
EE EXPRESSED HIS CONCERN: THAT vAAL TRIANGLE TOWNSHIPS HAD BECOME
• UNRULY "NO-GO1' AREAS SINCE ANC ACTIVISTS BARRICADED STREETS MORE THAN TWO W2SKS AGO.
HE SAID THERE WAS ALSO INCREASING EVIDENCE THAT LOCAL ANC LEADERSHIP WAS INVOLVED IN THE VIOLENCE.
HE REFERRED IN PARTICULAR TO TEE ARREST OF MR SHAKA H A D E 3 2 , LEADER OF TEE ANC'S DELEGATION ON THE LOCAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION COMMITTEE, WHO WAS FOUND B Y POLICE TO HAVE AN ILLEGAL ARMS CACHE IN HIS POSSESSION. MR HADEBE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY SUSPENDED FROM THE L D R C , PENDING FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS .
HIS BROTHER STHEMBISC, WHO IS ALSO THE ANC BRANCH'CHAIRPERSON AT EVERTON AND A LEADING CAST (THE CIVIC ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHERN TRANSVAAL) ACTIVIST, WAS ARRESTED ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO FOR ALLEGED ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF A S M S . HE HAD ALSO ALLEGEDLY DISGUISED HIMSELF AS A POLICEMAN AND WAS FOUND TO BE DRIVING A CAE RESEMBLING A POLICE VEHICLE.
A "WE ARE ALSO DISTURBED AT THE INCREASING NUMBER OF ATTACKS ON IF? W MEMBERS IN TEE AREA. IN ONE OF THE MOST BRUTAL A T T A C K S , AN IF?
MEMBER, MS SI3IYA, AND HIS DAUGHTER WAS ATTACKED BY ALLEGED ANC COMRADES ON MAY 6. HIS DAUGHTER WAS RAPED 28 TIMES AND LATER DIED FROM HER INJURIES AFTER HSR TENDONS AND MUSCLES WERE HACKED OFF," MR KHOZA SAID.
ON MAY 26, A HOUSE BELONGING TO M3 SI3IYA WAS ATTACKED WITH HAND- GRENADES . THE FIVE REMAINING MEMBERS OF TEE SI3IYA FAMILY DIED IN THE ATTACK, HE ADDED.ENDS .
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT ED TILLETT TEL: (031) 304S305 OFFICE HOURS
- “D em ocracy m eans frcednvt to ch oose" -INKATHAInkatha Freedom Part)'
IQembu leNkatha Yenkuluteko
T O . TH E NEWS E D IT O R SAPA L I V E WIRE
D A TE 19 J U N E 1992
FDR IM M E D IA TE R E L E A S E
T H E IN K A TH A FREEDOM P ARTY W IL L H O ID AN URG EN T MASS M E E T IN G AT KWAMADALA H O S T E L , VANDER B IJ L . PARK.
CDE THEMBA KHOZA AND CDE HUMPHREY NPHI.PVU W IL L D E L IV E R TH E MESSAOE! DF P E A C E , CALM AND R E C O N C I L I A T I O N TO TH E LOCAL BRANCH. T H I S I S IM P OR TAN T G IV E N T H E VO| AT II T T Y OF T H E TE N S E S I T U A T I O N IN IN T H E VAAL T R IA N G L E .
A F T E R TH E MASS M E E T IN G THE LE w D E k & H iP W lM M FET TH E D I S T R I C T SOUTH A F R IC A N P O L I C E A U T H O R I T I E S .
PLEASE CONTACT 636 4127/8
Present The Hon P»i«ce Mr^^wutK. G Buti***NaliO’>Sl ChdnftSri: Or f.T.
19/06 ’92 11:23 2 8358 262070 M. G. BUT HELE2I6 2
iff 2>
PRESS STATEMENT
THE MINDLESS KILLINGS IN BOIPATONG
BY MANGOSUTHU BUTHELEZI, PRESIDENT, INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY
ULUNDI. 19TH JUNE 1992
‘jI am unutterably appalled at the inhuman action of those who gather (together to raid Boipatong squatter camp, leaving at least 39 dead
^ in their wake* Such brutality shocks the sensibility of even themost brutal people. It leaves civilised mankind stunned __theviciousness of man. r------------- ------ -------------
I say very clearly that no leadership structure in the IFP had anyknowledge whatsoever that this attack was going to take place, and II make this statement not even knowing that it was indeed IFP members who were the attackers.
Any IFP members who at any time could do anything like this would I know that they are undermining everything I have ever done to bring about a fair and just society in this country. Violence is not the- way forward. The IFP has always steadfastly remained committed to peaceful means of bringing about radical change. We have been attacked because we refused to join in the armed struggle. I ^aid enormous political prices because I refused to lead my people into - the kind of confrontation in which violence is an inevitable outcome.
In the total history of the IFP, first as a liberation movement and then as a political party, we have never adopted any tactics and strategies which ultimately rested on intimidation and violence for success. I protest most strongly at any insinuation that I , or any leadership level of the IFP, could possibly have schemed and/ connived to develop the attack on the residents of Boipatong.
My deepest sympathy goes out to all the relatives and loved ones of those who died so hideously at the hands of brutal, men. I assure every resident of Boipatong that I will not rest until I havei turned over every stone to seek out any IFP leaders who could have^ been responsible for the attack on them.
*Such attacks could scuttle the whole negotiation process. If there was ever a time for the IFP and ANC to forget every possible past i difference and to come together for the sake of the lives of the H innocent in this country, it is now.
JUN 28 '9 2 1 7:2 2 M .G .B U TH E L E Z I.
'Detfioc acy means ftINKAInkatha Freec
Qembu leNkatha
PRESS
FOR EDITORS , i NEWS EEjlTORS , BURE
IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
ISSUED BY THE OFFICE UfiUNDI : 29TH JUNE
At a meeting in Abu
the IFP, Dr -FT Mdl<i
Inkosi SH Gumede, t
H.E. Boutrous Bout
be allowed to threa
a, Nigeria
lose, and
<j>l<3 tho Seer
ous-Ghali,
:en the refc
Memoranda from the
Africa were also
President Abdou D
Organisation of A
General Ibrahim Badk
At a meeting of th
Dr Buthelezi said
inform the United
that the ANC was "
South African Gove
democratic institut:
"The truth of the n
CODESA II rejecte
OF THE PRE 992. [0358-
IFP relatir
delivered t
ouf of Ser
Erican Unit}
masi Babanc
2 Central Cc
he had in:
Nations Sec
atter is th
d the ANC's
ccdotii to choose/rP .l I F p Lf
THAom PartyYenkululcko
STATEMENT
\U CHIEFS, CORRESPONDENTS.
5IDENT OF INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY, 202016]
, yesterday the National Chairman of
tlhe Party's Deputy Secjretary-Gener^l,
|etary-General of the United Nations,
that the Boipatong t
rm process in South A
g to the current situ
o the President-Elect
egal and to the Pre
and Nigerian Head o
ida.
Jnited Nation
ragedy must not
fri c a .
ation in So
of the 0
sident of
f State, H
mmittee of the IFP inj Ulundi toe
tructed the Party's emissaries
etary-General that the IFP belie
ously" in telling theerring grie
rnment was Jot prepared to relinquish power
i o n s .
world that
t more than half of
proposals for a way
tjhe delegate
forw a r d .
ath
W ,
;he
E.
|j': to
ved
the
to
at
hey
JUN 28 '92 17:23 tl.G.B'JTH
also rejected th
arrangements.
"Whichever way the
important half of
s a i d .
South Afric
CODESA wou
The ANC was "smar
divert attention fr
position in politics
The IFP's message
words could describe’
t'ing" under
Dm the fact
it proclain
to the Unit<
the "hideoi
There were also ri
Crossroads, ZonkiSi
than 35 members of t
It was time that th
South Africa and no
obscured and veiled
allies which were th
Violence and count
democratisation prc
process.
"More important thar
who say others are
away from the trac
South Africa."
Dr Buthelezi said
regional or local
:l e z i .
ANC's proposals for Interi
cfemocratic defeat andA
o words tha
zwe, Dobso
ie IFP had
er-violence
cess and wa
who says w
wrong to s
edy which i
tjhere had be
structure
P.2
m Governme
n Government bent or
d have voted against
that it did not have
ed before the world t
d Nations and the OAU
sness" of the Boipatc
could describe the
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JUN 28 '9 2 1 7:2 5 M .G.BUTH E L E Z I .
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JUN 28 '9 2 1 8 :3 8 M .G .B U TH E L E Z I.
INKATHA
CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEETING 28TH JUNE 1992
P . 2 IFP S
FREEDOM PARTY
iff*
RESOLUTION 1
We the members of are deeply aware escalating that the w a r .
the Centra of the dan negotiation
We abhor the kind c strongly proclaims lives. No IFP str decision to attack awareness that the
WE RESOLVE TO:
3.
4.
Condemn the ac
Reject the particularly r responsible numerically I attacks were m
Proclaim the massacre of correctly unde
f violence its innoc
ucture - na Boipatong,
attack was
fhich erupted in Boipatong. The ;nce in the attacks which claimed :ional, regional or ^ocal, made nor did any IFP structure have
:o take place. j
ts of violence which took place in Boipatong.
rial by med eject assum or the atta n the host ade.
injustice IFP members rlining the
Express our deepest symp died in the tragic massac
Committee of Inkatha Freedom Pe,rty jers that there are of violence so process will be overtaken by ci|vil
IFP39
anyany
a we are being subjected to, >tions by the police that the IFP ;ks simply because the IFP domin 1 from which it is alleged that
>f the media virtually ignoring in Crossroads and elsewhere, horror of the Boipatq>ng killings
ithy to the families of all those e. j
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A look beyothe headlines
IT doesn’t matter how you look at it, Boipatong was an appalling act of v io lence . But it does matter that Boipatong is being selectively capitalised on by the A N C and friends to score political points. The Democrat takes a look at what lies beyond the headlines.
ON 17 June, a heavily armed group of men entered Boipatong under cover of darkness and in the ensuing attack killed 39 men, women and children.It was a terrible act, rightly condem ned by parties across the political spectrum including the 1FP, w hose president Mangosuthu Buthelezi said:
"Such brutality shocks the sensibility of even the most brutal people. It leaves civilised mankind stunned at the viciousness of man. My deepest sympathy goes out to all relatives and loved ones of 'hose who died so hideously at the hands of brutal men."
He offered his and the IFP’s "fullest support for any enquiry into the mindless killings of innocent people that took place."
An urgent and high-powered investigation has been set in m otion, which is to establish precisely what happened, why it did, and of vital importance, whether the security forces were involved.
However, tragedy (hat it undoubtedly is, Boipatong is also being singled out for special attention by the AN C to justify pulling out of negotia-
The survivors joined the "swelling queue o f refugees flocking to Kwa- Madala", which itself was bom out of 150 w orkers forced ou t o f Isco r’s KwaM asiza H oste l two years ago, Prior to negotiating their move into disused KwaMadala, they spent four months sleeping on the veld. The list ol names o f those \vho took refuge in the hostel after being driven out of their township homes by arson or attack runs to 13 pages.
Getting closer to tb“ v e n ts o f 17
The second Star report, by Patrick Laurence, p o in ted out the strange anom alies in p eo p le 's reactions to Boipatong - a "ciy o f outrage” - and to a startlingty similar incident just two months before, where 23 men, women and children were shot, stabbed and burned to death and 17 injured in Crossroads - this drew only "muted protest".
To the Crossroads deaths Laurence adds those o f nearby Zonk’izizwe,who?'? orrn-' ct 1
Hostel spokesperson Petrus Mdiniso:
We feel like we are surrounded by enemies. Our children can no longer go to school in the township. We cannot shop there. The houses o f 1FP supporters are burnt. Our girlfriends are necklaced. What are we to do?We are homeland Zulus. We come here to work, not for Jun. We refuse to join in boycotts and strikes. But the ANC can't do what they want while we are here. So we are attacked. If we are attacked, we will fight. What else can we do?We can't run.
confin ed to b ereaved fam ilies and friends o f the victims and to the IFP. There was no national, let alone international solidarity.”
"Mr M andela described the attackers at B o ip aton g as ‘anim als’. N o similar epithet was applied to the killers at Crossroads.
"Archbishop D esm ond Tutu visited B oipatong to express solidarity with the victims. Crossroads apparently did not merit a similar visit. Ther -__.1 i *_• n .. ...._
19/ &6 ’ 92 11: 24 S 0358 282070 fl. G . BUTHELEZI 6
2
^I repeat the invitation I made to Dr Mandela on Sunday 14th June in Pietermaritzburg. I there invited Dr Mandela to share platforms with me and invited him to join forces with me and to jointly lead our respective organisations into peace-keeping missions. We must
*be seen to be standing together to oppose the hideous violence that I am talking about. Whoever is to blame, only the IFP and ANC working concertedly together could produce any kind of winning formula against violence.
I deeply appreciate Mr de Klerk's vow to track down the killers. I offer my, as well as the IFP's, fullest support for any enquiry into the mindless killing of innocent people that took place.
I am totally incensed that the IFP, which has never declared any revolution or armed struggle, and has never attempted to develop a "People's war” in this country is now so readily blamed for every act of violence. We have never established a private army; we have never established training camps abroad to which we send our people to learn how to kill; we do not have caches of arms hidden around the country; we are not even now continuing to recruit young South Africans for training abroad. We do not have arsenals of horrendous strike power stored in Angola ready for use.
I am unutterably sickened by the kind of hypocrisy which tries to ride on the back of hideous incidents like the killing of people in Boipatong squatter camp. I repeat that only Dr Mandela and I,, acting together, can end the accusation and counter accusation^ which is drawn like a blanket of approval over hideous violence. Whether we like each other or not, whether we agree with each other or not, the IFP and the ANC must co-operate and one way of doing so would be for the ANC to hand over its arms caches to the SADF a n d » really commit itself to disband Umkhonto weSizwe.
That would be a start par excellence. I would even start with less than that, provided that that was a goal that was set to be achieved in a realistic space of time. The refusal of the ANC to commit itself to disband Umkhonto is read as a declaration of war by millions of Black South Africans. You cannot be preparing for violence, training youth for violence, keeping arms caches for violence, and hope to have the credibility for serious neace negotiations.
*47820
/ 5 1 Plein Street A Tel: (Oil) 330-7000/ Johannesburg Jj
P.O. Box 61884 J L 3Joto??Marshalltown 2107 Telex. 42 1252I
---- 3.3.A FR IC A N N A TIO NA L C O N G R E S S
ANC PRESS STATEMENT ON BOIPATONG MASSACRE
The ANC is absolutely outraged by the obld-blooded slaughter of more than 50 innocent people in their homes in Boipatong township in the Vaal Complex on 17 June.
The ANC is even more outraged by the' callous and cynical remarks, made by Captain Craig Kotze on behalf of Minister Kriel, which sought to exploit a tragedy of such proportions for the, benefit of the Nationalist Party and the apartheid regime. I
The ANC places the blame squarely on the shoulders of Mr FW de Klerk, who declared in Tokyo recently that his government had a plan to counter mass action. That plan included mobilisation of the army, the police and police reservists.
These provocative acts failed to intimidate the people who came out in their thousands to Attend ANC rallies on 16th June. The unprovoked slaughter of innocent people by holdes whom eye-witnesses swaer were " erried in Police vehicles appears to be the second phase of that plan.
Mr De Klerk’s administration is less than three years in office,and yet the death toll of black people during its brief period of office exceeds that of 40 years of National Party rule. Mr De Klerk created the opportunity for such slaughter by legalising the carrying of dangerous weapons in 1990.
The South African Police, led by their Minister, Hernus Kriel, and their Commissioner, General van der Merwe, stand accused of complicity with the armed men who have committed one of the most heinous crimes this country has seen. Their denials, snide and cynical remarks aimed at political point-scoring deade^ the senses.
The People Shall Govern!
They still have to explain the murders that took place at Swanieville a year ago. They must explain also the inability of the Police to apprehemnd a single suspect for that massacre!
The South African Police no longer know the difference between protecting people and generating propaganda. Two days before 16 June they confiscated Inkatha weapons in a blaze of publicity, overseen by the Commissioner himself. The following day, 15 June, these weapons were returned to the IFP on the pretext that they are “cultural weapons". The cynical attempts by de Klerk and his ministers to project Mass Action as the begetter of violence assums a new significance in the context of their actions on the 15th June.
Anyone who doubts the lethal character of these “cultural weapons”, should visit the ICU of Sebokeng Hospital and see at the children, ranging in ages from three to 11, who are fighting for their lives after being stabbed with these so-called cultural weapons.
The ANC is calling an emergency meeting of the extended National Working Committee to consider further action to take in response to this massacre. The President of the ANC, Comrade Nelson Mandela, will visit the Vaal area on Sunday.
Issued by DIP, PO Box 61884, Marshalltown 2107
Tel: (011)330-7000 Fax: 333-9090 333-4509 Telex: 42-1252(b^ C <3-
PRESS RELEASE ON THE 29 JUNE - NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING
On Monday 29 June the victims of the violence in Boipatong will be buried. The whole country has been shaken to its foundations by the savage massacre. It is a time to bury the dead with dignity. It is a time to say: not one more death! It is a time for all to commit themselves to move rapidly towards democracy, peace and justice.
The day has been declared a National Day of Mourning. The Vaal has called for a local stayaway in that area in tribute to the tragic loss the community has suffered. However, there has been no call for a national stayaway.
In keeping with the spirit of the day, locally organised prayers, lunch time commemoration services, demonstrations etc will take place throughout the country. We call on business to respect the Day of Mourning, and discuss with workers any planned actions.
We call on the international community to observe this important day by, amongst other things, not handling any South African goods or carriers.
We appeal to all our people to remain calm, and ensure that the dead are buried in a disciplined and dignified manner. We expect Mr De Klerk to ensure that the police behave likewise.
Issued jointly by the Headquarters of Cosatu, the SACP and the ANC
m z
The P eop le Shall Govern!
51 Plein Street Johannesburg P.O. Box 61884 Marshalltown 2107
AFRICAN NATIONAL CO NG RESS
African National Congressc2. 3
fTKlC 3
51 Plein Street Johannesburg 2001 PO Box 61884 Marshalltown 2107
Tel: (011)330 7277 Fax:(011)333 8870
Telex: 421252
DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION AND PUBLICITY
STATEMENT OF THE EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE ANC
23 JUNE, 1992
The National Party regime of FW de Klerk has brought our country to the brink of disaster. Riddled with corruption and mismanagement, the regime is determined to block any advance to democracy. It pursues a strategy which embraces negotiations, together with systematic covert actions, including murder, involving its security forces and surrogates. This subversion of political processes to destroy the democratic movement in South Africa led by the ANC cannot be allowed to prevail any longer.
We cannot tolerate a situation where the regime's control of state power allows it the space to deny and cover up its role in fostering and fomenting violence.
The Boipatong massacre is one of the most chilling instances of the consequences of the actions of the FW De Klerk regime. Before the people of South Africa and the bar of international opinion it cannot escape culpability.
What is at issue is more than the crisis of the negotiations process. The fundamental reason for the deadlock is whether there is to be democratic change, or white minority veto powers. There is only one way forward. It is a road which must unmistakably and unequivocally lead to the establishment of a democratic South Africa.
To this end it is necessary that the De Klerk regime agrees to:
The creation of a democratically elected and sovereign Constituent Assembly to draft and adopt a new constitution: and
The establishment of an Interim Government of National Unity which is the only way all South Africans will recognise that the country shall have moved decisively to end white minority rule.
Demands on the Regime
The regime must immediately end its campaign of terror against the people and the democratic movement. In this regard it must immediately carry out the following measures:
Terminate all covert operations including hit squad activity.
Disarm, disband and confine to barracks all special forces as well as detachments made up of foreign nationals.
Suspend and prosecute all officers and security force personnel involved in the violence.
Ensure that all repression in some of the self-governing states, and in the so-called independent states, is ended forthwith.
Our people are compelled to live in a perpetual state of fear - be it in their homes, on their way to work, in trains and taxis, at funerals and vigils, at their places of work and entertainment. This is the stark reality. Between July 1990 and April 1992 there have been 261 attacks on township residents by hostel inmates, which led to 1,207 deaths and 3,697 injuries.
2
cD. 3/W c 3
demand that th<? regime implements agreements on curbing violence reached with the ANC almost a year aao. in particular
The immediate implementation of the programme to phase out the hostels and convert them into family unit accommodation.
Installation of fences around these establishments
Guarding of these hostels by security forces on a permanent basis, monitored by multi-lateral peace structures, and the expulson of those who occupy the hostels illegally
Regular searches of hostels with the participation of mutti-laterai peace structures
Banning the carrying of all dangerous weapons in public on all occasions, including so-called cultural weapons.
We insist that the regime agree to:
The implementation of the universal demand requiring at least the establishment of an International Commission of Inquiry into the Boipatong Massacre and all acts of violence as well as international monitoring of the violence.
Release all political prisoners forthwith
Repeal all repressive legislation, including those laws which were so hastily passed during the last days of the recent session of parliament.
Call to the People of South Africa
The crisis caused by the regime constitutes a challenge to all South Africans to unite in a broad movement for democracy, peace and justice now. We all, black and white together, share the responsibility to stop the regime from plunging our country into chaos and anarchy. The ANC shall consult all formations with a view to holding a summit to unite and mobilise our people against continued white minority rule and for democracy. Unity and disciplined struggle remain the surest basis for realising peace and stability.
We call on the entire people of our country, including the business community, to join in observing 29 June as a National Day of Mourning and solidarity with the victims of the Boipatong massacre as the dead are buried.
Appeal to the International Community
The National Party regime is acting in contempt of the wishes of the international community for a speedy end to apartheid.
Now, more than ever, the international community is required to compel the De Klerk regime to bring violence to an end and to commit itself to solutions based on internationally accepted democratic principles.
In consultation with sporting bodies, we shall be reviewing the forthcoming international sports engagements involving South Africa.
We appeal to the United Nations Security Council to convene as a matter of urgency to undertake measures which will help stop the violence and reinforce our efforts aimed at bringing about a democratic order.
We call on the international community to act in solidarity with our people on the day of the funeral for the victims of the Boipatong massacre, June 29. In particular we appeal to all workers throughout the world not to handle South African carriers and goods on this day.
J>3i f
STATEMENT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS,NELSON R. MANDELA,
AT THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL NEW YORK: JULY 15, 1992.
Mr President,Distinguished Members of the Security Council,Your Excellency, Dr Boutrous Boutrous Ghali, Secretary General of the United Nations,Ministers and Ambassadors,Ladies and Gentlemen,
First of all, we would like to express our appreciation to the Security Council for agreeing to convene on the question of South Africa. We would also like to thank you most sincerely for giving us the opportunity to address you.
The United Nations has been seized with the question of South Africa for the past 45 years.
The reason for this is that our people have been subjected to the policy of apartheid which the United Nations has determined is a crime against humanity and helping to transform our country into a non-racial democracy. This objective has not yet been achieved.
South Africa continues to be governed by a white minority regime. The overwhelming majority of our people are still denied the vote. They remain deprived of the right to determine their destiny.
Representatives of the South African government will also address you today. However sweet- sounding the words they may utter, they represent the system of white minority rule to which the United Nations is opposed. They continue to govern our country under a constitution which the Security Council has declared null and void.
Precisely because its purposes have not yet been achieved, the United Nations must remain seized with the question of South Africa. It must continue to look for ways and means by which it can help to expedite the process leading to the democratic transformation of our country.
In the meantime an extremely critical situation has arisen.
Whereas in the Declaration of Intent adopted at the Convention for a Democratic South Africa on the 21st December, 1991 we all committed ourselves to set in motion the process whereby a democratic constitution would be drafted and adopted for a united, non-racial and non-sexist South Africa, the process is deadlocked.
The problem is that the ruling white minority government continues to look for ways and means by which it can guarantee itself the continued exercise of power, regardless of its electoral
1
Collection Number: AK2672 Goldstone Commission BOIPATONG ENQUIRY Records 1990-1999 PUBLISHER: Publisher:- Historical Papers, University of the Witwatersrand Location:- Johannesburg ©2012
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