Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
12 December 1997
ADVISORY BY THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
The Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) made a public submission to the TRC yesterday expressing it's regret about human rights violations and racism since its inception in 1973.
In the submission, handed in at the Gauteng office of the TRC, the general staff of the AWB also extends it's sympathy and condolences with victims of AWB acts and pledges it's continued support to TRC's efforts to uncover the truth about apartheid atrocities. An express commitment is also made to furthering freedom of speech and association.
Five events are dealt with in particular:
- The tarring and feathering of the late Prof Floors van Jaarsveld in 1978; - The "battle" of Ventersdorp; - The stashing of "dangerous" weaponry, and acts of sabotage by AWB members and officers; - The Bophuthatswana incident during 1994; - Racism in general.
The AWB says none of these events should have taken place and that new orders were issued to regional structures in 1994 to stop all acts of sabotage. These and other issues, like the storming of the World Trade Centre and the plight of AWB prisoners who applied for amnesty, will be discussed when the movement's general staff meet with the Commission early next year.
Media are advised to contact Brigadier Dries Kriel of the AWB on 082 952 6871 for further information.