Article

2006-09-03 Africa Subsaharan

Apartheid-era security minister washes the feet of a black clergyman in apology

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Posted by john 2006-09-03 17:52|| || Front Page|| [4 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Johannesburg - Former apartheid minister of law and order Adriaan Vlok has apologised to the director-general of the Presidency, Reverend Frank Chikane, for the atrocities committed by police under his command.

According to a SABC news report on Saturday, Vlok had requested a meeting with Chikane because he saw Chikane as a symbol of those who had suffered at the hands of his police.

Chikane is the former general-secretary of the SA Council of Churches.

Vlok washed Chikane's feet during the meeting, to show his humility.

He asked Chikane to accept his apology and gesture. He said he wanted to reconcile with God.

Chikane accepted Vlok's apology.

Posted by john 2006-09-03 18:02|| 2006-09-03 18:02|| Front Page Top

#2 In 1999, Vlok was granted amnesty by South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission for the 1988 bombing of Khotso House, the Johannesburg headquarters of the South African Council of Churches. The blast injured 21 people.

Vlok, who was the only Cabinet minister of the apartheid era to apply for amnesty, told the commission in 1998 that he took "full political and moral responsibility" for the bombing. He admitted that he had conducted a smear campaign against activist Shirley Gunn of the African National Congress, then a liberation movement. He had alleged Gunn was the bomber of the church council building.

Posted by john 2006-09-03 18:04|| 2006-09-03 18:04|| Front Page Top

#3 I read that, and I think, that's not apology, that's just another case of hubris.

Posted by Abdominal Snowman 2006-09-03 23:22|| 2006-09-03 23:22|| Front Page Top

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