De Klerk 'approved murder attempt'

[Ian David]

Former South African president FW de Klerk has been accused of approving an attempted murder of a leading activist during the anti-apartheid era.

South Africa's largest selling Sunday newspaper, The Sunday Times, reports former police minister Adriaan Vlok has made the allegation as part of a plea-bargain with prosecutors, who last week charged him with the attempted murder of Reverend Frank Chikane.

Former police chief Johann van der Merwe was also charged with the attempted murder of the Reverend, who is now a trusted adviser to President Thabo Mbeki.

The Sunday Times says Vlok and van der Merwe were angry they were the only ones being held accountable for atrocities committed under white minority rule and have implicated Mr de Klerk and his former cabinet officials in submissions to prosecutors.

Mr de Klerk was South Africa's last white president and shared the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize with his successor, Nelson Mandela, for fostering racial unity and securing the country's smooth transition from apartheid to the first all-race poll in 1994.


Reverend Frank Chikane was almost killed 18 years ago when his underwear was laced with poison. (AFP: Alexander Joe)

More:
http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/22/1985028.htm?section=world


See related thread:

Archbishop Desmon Tutu asks for a moratorium on Vlok (Apartheid Reconciliation prosecutions)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1404720

[aquart]

1. "Underwear was laced with poison."

That is actually kooky enough to be CIA. Were they sharing kill skills?

[DavidDvorkin]

2. Crap

I had wanted to believe that FW had become one of the good guys.