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Special Report Transcript Episode 16, Section 3, Time 20:06

First the Pan Africanist Congress. // The PAC is proud to have played its role in this historic task of overthrowing white domination in all its manifestations. We make no apologies, we have nothing to hide. // But there was a wide expectation that the PAC should explain the brutal attacks by APLA on white civilians. // A new pattern arose in the 1990s where civilians within the white community were attacked. In the nature of guerrilla warfare, which is unlike conventional warfare, detailed plans could not be made from Dar es Salaam. The actual targets were decided by local commanders. We also found that internally trained cadres could mount many operations without early detection and arrest. This advantage had a disadvantage. In the militarized environment in our country in the 1990s, in the face of third force violence against our people in vigils, in places of worship, and in trains and taxis, internally based operatives often made errors that APLA had earlier avoided. There was little political work done unlike in the camps abroad. These are the causes of the departures in the 1990s which we as political leaders who declared war must and do take responsibility for. Even if war itself was forced upon us by the aggressor, the upholders of white domination. On the Amy Biehl issue, we wish to state that PASO was not a part of APLA. They are a component part of the PAC not involved in armed struggle. This act occurred in the context of a strike for recognition by the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union in the Western Cape. To support the strike ‘Operation Barcelona’ was launched to stop deliveries from townships and from towns into the township, not by PAC. Although PAC was not involved, PASO acted in solidarity with their teachers and with COSAS. They wrongly targeted and killed Amy Biehl. We expressed our regret and condolences to Amy Biehl‘s family in a letter to the United States Ambassador. We restate this position yet again through the TRC.

Notes: Clarence Makwethu

References select each tab to search for references

Hearing Transcripts TRC Final Report Glossary
Links to the Transkei 421 Operations in the Western Cape had strong links to APLA structures in the Transkei, which was clearly an important operational platform from which attacks could be launched. Weaponry was also sourced from Transkei security forces. For example, the hand grenades used in ...
The killing of Amy Biehl 168. In April 1994, PASO members Mongezi Christopher Manqina [AM0669/96], Vusumzi Samuel Ntamo [AM4734/97] and Mzikhona Easy Nofemela [AM5282/97] were convicted of killing American Fulbright scholar Amy Elizabeth Biehl in Guguletu, Cape Town, on 25 August 1993. They were ...
 
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