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| The '''storming of the Kempton Park World Trade Centre''' took place in ] on ], ] when |
The '''storming of the Kempton Park World Trade Centre''' took place in ] on ], ] when approximately three thousand members of the ] (AVF), ] (AWB) and other paramilitary right-wing Afrikaner groups stormed the World Trade Centre in Kempton Park, Johannesburg. | ||
| The World Trade Centre was the venue for multi-party ] to end the ] system through the country's first multi-racial elections. These negotiations were strongly opposed by right-wing white groups in South Africa. The invasion came after other clashes between police and right-wingers, such as the ], and much belligerent rhetoric from right-wing leaders such as ] of the AWB. | The World Trade Centre was the venue for multi-party ] to end the ] system through the country's first multi-racial elections. These negotiations were strongly opposed by right-wing white groups in South Africa. The invasion came after other clashes between police and right-wingers, such as the ], and much belligerent rhetoric from right-wing leaders such as ] of the AWB. | ||
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| ==Storming of the negotiation venue== | ==Storming of the negotiation venue== | ||
| A protest led by the AVF was scheduled for ] outside the negotiation venue. At 8 a.m. protesters began arriving, and began harassing delegates to the negotiations. | A protest led by the AVF was scheduled for ] outside the negotiation venue. At 8 a.m. protesters began arriving, and began harassing delegates to the negotiations. | ||
| The mood had begun as a festive one, with AWB supporters bringing their families, as well as barbecuing equipment and other provisions, associations one would normally make with a peaceful sit- in or protest. | |||
| However the mood changed for the worse when members of Terre'blanche's personal bodyguard wing, the Ystergarde (Iron Guard) began rocking cars, many were armed, paramilitary members of various right- wing organisations, carrying firearms and other weapons. | |||
| A 'Viper' armoured vehicle was used to crash through the glass windows of the WTC allowing supporters, carrying firearms and chanting "AWB", to invade the premises. Police attempted to form a cordon to prevent the invasion but were ineffective. A police captain who tried to prevent the vehicle from breaking through was assaulted and suffered internal bleeding.<ref name=goldstone>{{cite web| | A 'Viper' armoured vehicle was used to crash through the glass windows of the WTC allowing supporters, carrying firearms and chanting "AWB", to invade the premises. Police attempted to form a cordon to prevent the invasion but were ineffective. A police captain who tried to prevent the vehicle from breaking through was assaulted and suffered internal bleeding.<ref name=goldstone>{{cite web| | ||
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| accessdate=2007-01-07}}</ref> | accessdate=2007-01-07}}</ref> | ||
| Once inside, the right-wingers were effectively left in control of the building while the multi-party negoiation delegates took cover by hiding in meeting rooms. The protesters painted slogans on the walls, urinated over furniture, harassed delegates. Damage was estimated at more than 700,000 ].<ref name=goldstone/> | Once inside, the right-wingers were effectively left in control of the building while the multi-party negoiation delegates took cover by hiding in meeting rooms. According to one author on the subject of the Reform Process they threatened that all ] (blacks) in the vicinity would be killed, although none were hurt. The protesters painted slogans on the walls, urinated over furniture, harassed delegates. Damage was estimated at more than 700,000 ].<ref name=goldstone/> | ||
| Incongruously, the protesters also held a prayer meeting in the main negotiating chamber. | Incongruously, the protesters also held a prayer meeting in the main negotiating chamber. | ||
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| date=16 May 1997| | date=16 May 1997| | ||
| accessdate=2007-01-09}}</ref> | accessdate=2007-01-09}}</ref> | ||
| The political implications of it did nothing in the favour of the AWB, in fact it was yet another act of theirs that defied belief and made them pariahs to a greater extent among those who were members of the political mainstream. | |||
| There is no doubt that their actions were not those of a rational political group. | |||
| ==Goldstone Commission== | ==Goldstone Commission== | ||
Revision as of 16:28, 16 May 2007
The storming of the Kempton Park World Trade Centre took place in South Africa on June 25, 1993 when approximately three thousand members of the Afrikaner Volksfront (AVF), Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) and other paramilitary right-wing Afrikaner groups stormed the World Trade Centre in Kempton Park, Johannesburg.
The World Trade Centre was the venue for multi-party negotiations to end the apartheid system through the country's first multi-racial elections. These negotiations were strongly opposed by right-wing white groups in South Africa. The invasion came after other clashes between police and right-wingers, such as the Battle of Ventersdorp, and much belligerent rhetoric from right-wing leaders such as Eugene Terre'Blanche of the AWB.
Storming of the negotiation venue
A protest led by the AVF was scheduled for June 25 outside the negotiation venue. At 8 a.m. protesters began arriving, and began harassing delegates to the negotiations.
The mood had begun as a festive one, with AWB supporters bringing their families, as well as barbecuing equipment and other provisions, associations one would normally make with a peaceful sit- in or protest.
However the mood changed for the worse when members of Terre'blanche's personal bodyguard wing, the Ystergarde (Iron Guard) began rocking cars, many were armed, paramilitary members of various right- wing organisations, carrying firearms and other weapons.
A 'Viper' armoured vehicle was used to crash through the glass windows of the WTC allowing supporters, carrying firearms and chanting "AWB", to invade the premises. Police attempted to form a cordon to prevent the invasion but were ineffective. A police captain who tried to prevent the vehicle from breaking through was assaulted and suffered internal bleeding.
Once inside, the right-wingers were effectively left in control of the building while the multi-party negoiation delegates took cover by hiding in meeting rooms. According to one author on the subject of the Reform Process they threatened that all kaffirs (blacks) in the vicinity would be killed, although none were hurt. The protesters painted slogans on the walls, urinated over furniture, harassed delegates. Damage was estimated at more than 700,000 Rand.
Incongruously, the protesters also held a prayer meeting in the main negotiating chamber.
Before leaving, negotiations with the police were held in which it was agreed that no members would be arrested that day. The departure was peaceful compared to the entrance.
General Constand Viljoen, a conservative Afrikaner leader who was participating in the negotiations, later denied that the invasion was planned by the Afrikaner Volksfront as part of their protest, and criticised the AWB members who had "got out of hand".
The political implications of it did nothing in the favour of the AWB, in fact it was yet another act of theirs that defied belief and made them pariahs to a greater extent among those who were members of the political mainstream.
There is no doubt that their actions were not those of a rational political group.
Goldstone Commission
The Goldstone Commission, headed by Justice Richard Goldstone, was tasked with investigating the protest. The commission found that the South African Police protecting the negotiations had been completely ineffective, that the protesters had broken the law and breached agreed conditions for their protest, and welcomed the arrest and charging of 60 persons. It found that the AWB members had acted as hooligans, and recommended that assurances from the AWB regarding the conduct of its members should not be relied on in future. It also made recommendations to further restrict public carrying of weapons, paramilitary uniforms and face covering during demonstrations.
References
- ^ Goldstone, Richard (13 July 1993). "Report on the Inquiry into the Events at the World Trade Centre on 25 June 1993". Retrieved 2007-01-07.
- "Political Party Submissions: Freedom Front". Truth and Reconciliation Commission. 16 May 1997. Retrieved 2007-01-09.