AfriForum Youth calls for a minute of silence for victims of ANC terror attacks

Today, 20 May 2013, AfriForum Youth placed a wreath and observed a minute of silence in the Pretoria CBD for the civilians killed in ANC terror attacks between 1980 and 1994. The event celebrated the lives of the 19 civilians who died in the Church Street attack thirty years ago.

Survivors of the explosion, family members of the victims and eyewitnesses attended the event.

"Thousands of innocent civilians, black and white, paid a terrible price during these violent attacks by the ANC. The event is not only a protest against the ANC's biased rewriting of history in which ANC leaders are portrayed as blameless heroes, but also an opportunity to celebrate the lives of those who died in terror attacks. The dark history of the ANC is often glossed over, but the reality is that many families are still struggling to cope with the brutal way in which their families were murdered," said Charl Oberholzer, the national Chairperson of AfriForum Youth.

Oberholzer said further that the event was not a political statement, but rather an opportunity for the families of the victims to honour the lives of their relatives. "It is also important that our youth be exposed to an honest version of history, and that victims of ANC terror attacks be remembered.

More than 500 people were killed by means of necklacing since 1984, hundreds were set alight while still alive and 250 were killed in bomb or landmine attacks by the ANC. Even though the ANC did sign the Geneva Convention in 1980 and undertook not to target ordinary South Africans, 80% of terror attacks by the ANC targeted innocent civilians.

Oberholzer added that this action forms part of the AfriForum Youth campaign against the biased rewriting of history.

Statement issued by Charl Oberholzer, National Chairperson, AfriForum Youth, May 20 2013

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