The Azanian People's Liberation Army (APLA) was the military wing of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) in South Africa. It was originally called Poqo. In the 1990–94 period it became known for its attacks on civilians (see Saint James' Church Massacre and Heidelberg Tavern Massacre) despite the negotiations progress (see Convention for a Democratic South Africa).
In 1994 APLA was absorbed into the new South African National Defence Force.
Human rights violations
In 1993 APLA’s chief commander, Sabelo Phama, in a television interview declared: "he would aim his guns at children - to hurt whites where it hurts most".[1]. Pharma declared 1993 'The Year of the Great Storm' and sanctioned the following attacks on civilians:[1]
- King William’s Town Golf Club on 28 November 1992, killing four people.
- Highgate Hotel in East London on 1 May 1993, killing five people.
- St James Church massacre in Kenilworth on 25 July 1993, killing 11 churchgoers during a church service.
- Heidelberg Tavern in Observatory on 31 December 1993, killing four.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) found "PAC action directed towards both civilians and whites to have been gross violations of human rights for which the PAC and APLA leadership are held to be morally and politically responsible and accountable".[2]
See also
References
- ^ a b "The Liberation Movements from 1960 to 1990". Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa Report 2: 685. Truth and Reconciliation Commission (South Africa).
- ^ "The Liberation Movements from 1960 to 1990". Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa Report 2: 692. Truth and Reconciliation Commission (South Africa). “THE COMMISSION FINDS THAT THE TARGETING OF CIVILIANS FOR KILLING WAS NOT ONLY A GROSS VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS OF THOSE AFFECTED BUT A VIOLATION OF INTERNAL HUMANITARIAN LAW.”
