AWB leader Eugene Terreblanche. His extremist party uses symbols close up to Nazi symbolism

© AWB

afrol News, 6 April - The mention of the 'Boer Republic' within South Africa was almost forgotten until after the Saturday night killing of the leader of the racist Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging or AWB, Eugene Terreblanche.

Once a feared white bull-dozer and a political tyranny equalled to some of the world's worst, Mr Terreblanche was over-powered by two of his workers and struck with an iron rod until he died for allegedly having refused to give the two their pay.

The two men, one a minor, aged 15 and another 28 years of age, have unravelled a stone that was laid some ten years ago when Mr Terreblanche was sent to jail first for allegedly trying to destabilise the newly democratically formed government of South Africa, and then for different assaults and shooting incidences against black community members or his workers.

Since the announcement of his death, a new rift has opened between the blacks and the whites, clearly showing the somehow long buried, but explosive political emotion that is still running between the racial groups of South Africa.

The Ventersdorp setting, outside the court, where the two accused were to appear, somehow brought back the old memories of racial demarcations between the whites and blacks. This time it was even more hellish, with razor and barbed wire cordons, used to separate the two groups, which came to court for complete different motives.

For the majority of the whites, it was to stand in solidarity with the family of the slain Mr Terreblanche, with smaller camps still vying to avenge his blood. However, the AWB leadership has distanced itself from any acts of violence or calls for revenge, rather calling for justice to prevail.

For the majority of the blacks outside the court, the two farm workers have become instant heroes, who braved to raise their hand against the fearsome white-bearded lions of the North-West. Others are even saying the murder was foretold in the religious readings, equalling it to the story of David and Goliath. "Imagine the feared Terreblanche succumbing to the beating of a 15 year old boy, and screaming and begging for mercy," they have said.

For the justice system, the killing of Mr Terreblanche is stirring more problems than it should have. With so much interest from around the whole of South Africa and the world at large, proceedings of the case would have to be in camera, because one of the accused is a minor. "The two cannot be separated," the prosecution has declared.

Even after the men surrendered themselves to the police, there are still complications to the hearing of the case as it may have to take a totally different route from the normal criminal procedures.

As a test case after the new law meant to protect children involved in crime and serious offenses, the government of President Jacob Zuma will be pressured to quell all racially questionable or politically motivated involved of the government of the day.

In fact, in his first response to the death, Mr Zuma appealed for calm and implored on political leaders to watch their mouths and probably shut-up if they have nothing else to say as condolences to the Terreblanche family.

Whether the killing of Mr Terreblanche was motivated by the singing of the 'Kill the Boer' song by the ruling ANC youth league and its leader, Julius Malema, or not, what has become more clear is that the fighting for the establishment of the 'Boer Republic' within South Africa, will definitely gain a new momentum or even a new support amongst the disgruntled Afrikaaners in the new South Africa.

Be it a hoax or not, Terreblanche has left a legacy, and one that may haunt South Africa, for a bit of some ages.

By Lawrence Keketso

© afrol News

Tweet

Printable version

On the Afrol News front page now

UN will not monitor human rights in Western Sahara afrol News - The US has backed down on its demand that UN peacekeepers in Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara also shall monitor the human rights situation after Moroccan sources threatened to scale down relations with Washington. Read more

Central African Republic

Central African Republic falling apart afrol News - One month after the rebel movement Séléka took over power in the Central African Republic, unrest is spreading in the country. The new leader lacks control of his forces, which continue looting and abusing civilians. Read more

Kenya

Kenyatta secures tight victory in Kenya afrol News - The official election results in Kenya have finally been announced, and Uhuru Kenyatta managed to win the first poll round outright with a narrow 50.7 percent. But the main opponent, PM Raila Odinga, is filing a vote rigging complaint to the courts. Read more

Cape Verde Cape Verde to produce dragon fruit afrol News - Cape Verde authorities have invested large sums to diversify the arid country's agricultural sector. Now, the dragon fruit, originating in tropical America, is being introduced for the first commercial production in Africa. Read more

Egypt Even governors in Pharaonic Egypt died in their 20s afrol News - Researchers have analysed more than 200 mummies from ancient Egypt, finding that even high dignitaries were poorly nourished and had infectious diseases. The typical governor in Pharaonic Egypt died before he was 30 years old. Read more