Special Report Transcript Episode 4, Section 2, Time 03:32

Umkhonto we Sizwe soldier Robert McBride was given three death sentences for planting the bomb. After four years on death row he was reprieved and in 1991 given amnesty. He is now a diplomat at the Department of Foreign Affairs. This made the sisters of one of those killed in the Why not Bar, Michelle Gerrard, angry and bitter. // He is seen in some circles as being some sort of liberation activist, people’s hero, but in our opinion all he did was contribute to the violence, hatred and segregation that we all wanted to disappear. He had a choice whether to plant that terrible bomb or not and he made his choice. Michelle and the other two young ladies, they didn’t have a choice, he made their choice for them. Mister McBride cannot justify his position in the government of national unity as he’s a cold blooded murderer, who can never wipe away the pain, sorrow and anguish and destruction he caused. // Mister McBride had been aware of the hazards of the bomb he planted to life and limb. Robert McBride’s life was given back to him to live as he seems fit, but I do feel he has no right to be in public office. After all, he is a convicted murderer.

Notes: Robert McBride; TRC testimony: Sharon Welgemoed (Sister); TRC testimony: Cher Gerrard (sister)