[R-G] South Africa: Ex-leader accused of apartheid crimes

[Anthony Fenton]

The URL and reference to the article is http://www.afrol.com/articles/ 
26252

South Africa
Society | Politics | Human rights
South Africa: Ex-leader accused of apartheid crimes

afrol News, 27 July - Eugene de Kock, a former security commander has  
accused the ex-President of South African, FW de Klerk, of committing  
gross human rights violations while in office. Mr de Kock was jailed  
for life in a maximum security prison in Pretoria after he was found  
guilty of playing a key role in killing and maiming of anti-apartheid  
activists.

He made the revelations to a radio station while still in prison. “FW  
de Klerk’s hands are soaked in blood,” he said, expressing  
preparedness to testify in court against Mr de Klerk.

Ironically, the accusations came a day after the former South African  
leader said his conscience was clear because he had never condoned  
the elimination of anti-apartheid activists or committed any other  
gross violations of human rights while in office.

He was the last white President to rule South Africa. Mr de Klerk  
ruled the country from 1989 to 1994 when Nelson Mandela took over the  
leadership mantle.

"I have not only a clear conscience, I am not guilty of any crime  
whatsoever," Mr de Klerk told journalists in Cape Town.

"I have never myself approved murder or the random killing of  
anybody, or gross violations of human rights."

But de Kock maintained that he would be able to list exact instances  
where de Klerk ordered for specific killings.

Nicknamed Prime Evil, de Kock was notorious for ordering the cruel  
killing or maiming of many anti-apartheid activists.

Until de Kock’s allegations, it had been rumoured that Mr de Klerk  
was aware of human rights violations committed under his rule.

Last week, news broke out that the former President’s Police  
Minister, Adriaan Vlok, would be dragged to court on charges of  
planning to poison Reverend Frank Chikane, the former Secretary  
General of South African Council of Churches, to death in 1989.

Mr Vlok has confessed to the crime and other human rights violations,  
but he had publicly asked forgiveness from Reverend Chikane by  
washing his feet last year.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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