The Killers & Their Bosses
All photographs courtesy the following archives and individuals: These include South African History Archive, Afrivision, Mayibuye Archives, SA National Archives, The Cradock Four Museum, Legal Resource Centre, ITN Source, Reuters, Avusa library, Daily Dispatch library, Eastern Province Herald library, University of Fort Hare, Black Sash archives, Special Collections: University of Cape Town Libraries, ANC Archives, Tony Bensusan, Prof Julian Cobbing, Mark Kaplan, Steven Markovitz, Professor Cornelius Thomas, Anna Zieminski Photography, Gille de Vliege, Jill Edelstein and David Forbes.
Colonel Harold Snyman (deceased)
Port Elizabeth Security Police Chief, received instructions from the minister to “make a plan” with the security situation.
Major General Frederick Johannes van Rensburg
Worked at State Security Council and liaised with Brigadier “Joffel” van der Westhuizen regarding the signal.
Lieutenant JM “Sakkie” van Zyl
Headed the hit squad
Lieutenant Colonel Eric Taylor
Van Zyl’s henchman. Claimed to have killed Fort Calata personally.
Colonel Eugene de Kock (in jail)
Nicknamed “Prime Evil” , he disputed the testimony of his colleagues, and was the only one granted amnesty
Brigadier “Joffel” van der Westhuizen
Headed Eastern Province miltary, and ordered “Death Signal” sent
Major Hermanus Barend du Plessis
“followed orders” and personally drafted the “Death Signal”
President PW Botha (deceased)
Denied knowledge of any murders, but was presided over State Security Council, which discussed “permanent removal” of activists. Known as the “Great Crocodile”.
Minister Adriaan Vlok
Pointed at Calata’s house, but denies any complicity in their murder
Colonel Craig Williamson
Former police spy, headed Security Police intelligence, and sent an operative to check how Goniwe and Calata could be killed
Major Eric Winter
Former “Koevoet” killer, became head of Cradock’s Security Police, denied knowledge of the killing, but can’t answer questions, and “can’t remember” anything
Major GJ Lotz (no picture)
was part of the hit squad