ANC-2nd Submission to TRC - APPENDIX FOUR
Please note:
Information in this list was drawn from press reports and the Annual Surveys of the SAIRR. These are not MK records. There are probably omissions and errors, due to censorship during the apartheid era and other difficulties in collecting information of this nature.
1960s Details are not available, but it is estimated that the MK High Command co-ordinated over 190 acts of sabotage between October 1961 and July 1963. There were no deaths or injuries.
1976: Note: a study by Tom Lodge of the University of the Witwatersrand estimated that there were 150 MK attacks between 1976 - 1982
30/11/76 Skirmish with South African Police (SAP): Eastern Transvaal Two SAP killed as arrested cadres escape custody, throwing grenade into SAP vehicle
1977
08/01/77 Economic: railway line near Soweto
15/06/1977 Unplanned actions/skirmish with SAP: Two civilians killed in warehouse in Goch Street during unplanned panic reaction when cadres realised they were being followed by SAP; two members captured; Monty Motlaung beaten so badly by SAP he was brain damaged; Solomon Mahlangu hanged
24/02/77 SAP buildings: Daveyton South African Police (SAP) Station. Bomb causes structural damage; no injuries
15/07/77 Economic: Umlazi/ Durban. Damage to railway line
26/07/77 Skirmish with SAP: Vosloorus, Transvaal. One MK member killed
26/07/77 Skirmish with SAP: Dobsonville, Transvaal. One member killed, 2 SAP members injured
09/09/77 SAP Security Branch (SB) personnel: Leonard Nkosi; turned ANC member killed.
27/10/77 SAP personnel: Bophutatswana; Three members killed by SAP after throwing a grenade at a police patrol; one SAP injured
02/11/77 Skirmish with SAP: near Pongola, Natal. One member killed, one SAP injured
??/11/77 Economic: railway at Dunswart and Apex (Transvaal).Train driver slightly injured
12/12/77 SAP building: Germiston, Transvaal. Police station structural damage
1978
??/01/78 Personnel actively assisting SAP: Former ANC member (Steve Mtshali) who turned state witness in various trials; shot and wounded
??/02/78 Skirmish with SAP: near Swaziland border. Two SAP members killed
02/02/78 SAP building: Daveyton police station. Structural damage
01/03/78 Skirmish with SAP: Witkleigat area. No details
10/03/78 Government buildings: Bantu Affairs Administration Board, Port Elizabeth. Bomb explodes outside offices; One civilian killed, three injured
??/04/78 SAP personnel: Swaziland border. MK members ambush SAP patrol; two SAP members wounded
14/04/78 Personnel actively assisting SAP: Former deputy president of the ANC in the Transvaal (Abel Mthembu) turned state witness at the Pretoria ANC trial
25/06/78 SAP Personnel: Det-Sgt Chapi Hlubi shot dead
21/08/78 Bureau of State Security (BOSS) personnel: B. Mayeza shot dead in Umlazi, Durban
??/12/78 Government buildings: Soweto Community Council Bomb damages offices
1979
1979 Economic: Sasol Oil Refineries. Massive structural damage
1979 SAP building: Orlando police station attacked
14/01/79 Skirmish with SAP: farm near Zeerust; Seven members clash with SAP; one member captured, others escape over Botswana border
23/01/79 Economic: near New Canada station. Explosion damages railway
24/01/79 Economic: railway between Fort Beaufort and King Williamstown, Eastern Cape. Large quantity of explosives on line found and defused
February 1979 SAP SB personnel: Sgt Benjamin Letlako shot dead in Katlehong, Transvaal
April 1979 Economic: railway near Soweto. Explosives discovered and defused
05/05/79 SAP personnel/building: Moroka SAP Station, Transvaal. Members open fire in charge office; one SAP member killed, 3 SAP members and 3 civilians injured; extensive damage caused by grenades in offices
June 1979 Economic: railway in Eastern Transvaal. Explosives found, defused
November 1979 SAP building/personnel: Orlando SAP Station, Transvaal. MK members open fire, hurl grenades into charge office; two SAP members killed and two wounded; pamphlets distributed
November 1979 SAP SB personnel: Lt Magezi Ngobeni; grenades thrown into home; 5 children wounded
December 1979 Economic: railway near Alice, Eastern Cape. Explosion damages line
1980
1980 SAP building: Booysens police station, Transvaal. Damage to building
14/01/80 SAP building/ support for community resistance: Soekmekaar SAP Station. Little damage; minor injury to one SAP member; local community involved in struggle against forced removal
1980 Skirmish with SAP: Meadowlands, Transval. No details
??/03/80 Skirmish with SAP: Bophutatswana Two members killed, one escapes
04/04/80 SAP buildings and personnel: Booysens SAP Station. Attack with grenades, rocket launchers, AKs causes damage, no injuries
June 1980 Personnel actively assisting SAP: Tennyson Makiwane - expelled ANC official; shot dead
01/06/80 Economic: Sasol 1,2 and Natref. Eight fuel tanks destroyed in series of blasts; no injuries; R58-m damage
August 1980 SAP SB Personnel: Det-Sgt TG Zondi; shot at in Sobantu Village; uninjured
15/10/80 Economic/support for community resistance: Railway line in Dube blown up; Soweto community had called for a stay-away previous day to protest against rent increases, visit by Piet Koornhof
29/10/80 Government buildings: West Rand Administration Board. Two grenades cause extensive damage, injure security guard and friend
30/10/80 Government residence: Port Elizabeth - House of Transkei consul damaged with bomb; no injuries
21/11/80 Skirmish with SAP: Chiawelo; MK member killed, SAP injure child
1981
According to the South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR), between January and October 1981 there were at least 40 ANC guerilla attacks in urban areas; there were 17 between July 1979 and June 1980.
1981 Skirmish with SAP: house in Chiawelo - One MK member killed; possible SAP casualties
1981 SAP building: Wonderboom SAP station - no details
1981 Economic: Capital Park sub-station - damage by limpet mine
1981 SAP building: Mabopane SAP station - two dead (no details)
1981 Economic: Rosslyn sub-station - Damage by limpet mines; Two injuries
14/04/81 Economic: Richards Bay / Vryheid line - 20km railway destroyed, coal trucks derailed
21/04/81 Economic: power station, in Durban. Two transformers destroyed by limpet mines
May 1981 Personnel actively assisting SAP: Hoedspruit Railways policeman killed with grenade
06/05/81 Economic/ Republic Day protests: railway in Hoedspruit area. Line damaged
21/05/81 Economic/Republic Day protests: Port Elizabeth rail link to Johannesburg and Cape Town Line damaged by explosion
25/05/81: Series of actions in support of Republic Day protests:
Pamphlet bomb in Durban;
SAP building: Fort Jackson SAP station;
Economic: railway line attacked near Soweto
Economic: railway line attacked on Natal South Coast
Economic: power lines cut in Vrede, Orange Free State
27/05/81 SADF buildings: recruiting office, Durban- destroyed in explosion
01/06/81 Firebombs at three Progressive Federal Party (PFP) offices, Johannesburg. No injuries
04/06/81 SAP building: SAP station, Johannesburg
SAP building: SAP station, Meyerton, Johannesburg
11/06/81 Economic: railway line, Natal North coast
16/6/81 Economic: railway line near East London
28/06/81 Economic: railway near Empangeni, Natal
03/07/81 Economic: fuel storage depot, Alberton. Limpet mine defused
21/07/81 Economic: power supply; Pretoria, Middelburg, Ermelo. At least six explosions at three installations
11/08/81 SADF personnel and buildings: Voortrekkerhoogte Military Base damage by rocket attack
19/08/81 Economic: railway line near East London
02/09/81 SAP buildings and personnel: Mabopane SAP station - two SAP, two civilians (one a child) killed
12/09/81 Economic: main railway line, Delville Wood, Durban. Explosion damages line
10/10/81 Economic: Durban railway station
Government buildings: Durban offices, Department Of Co-operation and Development. Four injuries; no details
21/10/81 Economic: Transformer in Evander, Transvaal destroyed
Economic: Sasol III water pipeline, Secunda
26/10/81 SAP buildings and personnel: Sibasa SAP station Two SAP members killed, station destroyed
01/11/81 SADF buildings and personnel: Jeppes Reef House near Swaziland border occupied by South African Defence Force (SADF) -destroyed in rocket/grenade attack
09/11/81 Government buildings: Orlando Magistrates Court Explosion; no details
12/11/81 Economic: Rosslyn power substation, Pretoria - damage by four limpet mines
09/12/81 Government buildings: office of Chief Commissioner, Department of Co-operation and Development, Cape Town
14/12/81 Economic: Pretoria power sub-station bombed
23/12/81 Government buildings: Eastern Cape Administration Board, Duncan Village. No details
26/12/81 SAP buildings: Wonderboompoort - SAP station - no details
1982
According to the SAIRR, there were at least 26 sabotage attacks by the ANC between December 1981 and November 1982; 13 suspected ANC members were killed in shoot-outs with the SAP. According to the SAP, there were 39 acts of insurgency in 1982.
21/05/81 Government buildings: Port Natal Administration Board, Pinetown bombed
Government buildings: Offices of Dept. Coloured Affairs, Durban
07/01/82 Government buildings: West Rand Administration Board, Soweto. Bomb damages office
12/05/82 Government buildings: West Rand Administration Board, Soweto. Bomb damages offices again
20/03/82 Government buildings: Langa Commissioners Court, Cape Town. Damaged in explosion
28/05/82 Economic: Fuel depot and power transformer, Hectorspruit. Damaged by limpet mine
03/06/82 Economic: railway near Dube, Johannesburg - damaged in explosion
04/06/82 Government buildings: offices of Presidents Council, Cape Town. Bomb explodes in lift shaft of building housing these offices; one killed
28/06/82 Economic: railway depot at Vryheid, Natal - damaged in explosion
28/06/82 Economic: Scheepersnek: Two bombs cause extensive damage to railway depot, pump station, stores, vehicles
Durban-Witwatersrand oil pipeline shattered
SAP and Government buildings: Port Elizabeth; Station Commander’s office and New Law Courts damaged
July 1982 Government buildings: Port Elizabeth court building
28/08/82 SADF buildings: Umvoti Mounted Rifles Army Camp, Red Hill, Durban Extensive damage to building and three SADF vehicles
September 1982 Skirmish with SAP: Boksburg Two members killed
24/09/82 Economic: Railway Bridge near Upington - explosives placed; no details
October 1982 Skirmishes with SAP: KwaZulu One SAP SB member and one MK member killed
26/10/82 Government buildings: Drakensberg Administration. Board, Pietermaritzburg Three bombs explode
November 1982 SAP personnel: W/O P. Selepe, killed in Mamelodi, Transvaal; gave evidence in many trials
08/11/82 Economic: Mobil fuel storage depot, Mkuze, Natal - Blast causes severe damage
December 1982 - Personnel actively assisting SAP: B. Hlapane
13-14/11/82 Skirmishes with SAP: Piet Retief - two SAP seriously wounded
18-19/12/82 Economic: Koeberg nuclear power station, Cape Town -massive damage in four explosions; no injuries
20-21/11/82 SADF/SAP installation and personnel: SAP rural station and temporary SADF garrison at Tonga - rocket attack seriously injures two SADF personnel
31/12/82 Government building / SAP building: Johannesburg Magistrates court (200m from John Vorster Square Police Station) - explosion; no details
1983
1983 Economic: line near Phomolong station. Damage to railway line
1983 SADF building: offices in Marshall Street. Structural damage
1983 Economic: pylon in Denneboom. Structural damage
1983 SAP personnel: Soweto - grenade attack on patrol; no injuries
26/01/83 Government buildings: New Brighton Community Council offices, Port Elizabeth. Building extensively damaged; one dead, five injured
30/01/83 Government buildings: Pietermarizburg Supreme Court Explosion; no details
10/02/83 Economic: Richards Bay, Natal - area 500 hectares burned in arson attack
11/02/83 Government Buildings: Drakensberg Administration Board Offices, Natal. Explosion, no details
08/02/83 Skirmishes with SADF: Paulpietersburg, Natal. No details
20/02/83 Economic: Pelindaba Nuclear Research Station. Set on fire; no details
21/03/83 Government buildings: Supreme Court, Pietermaritzburg. Explosion, no details
21/04/83 Government buildings: Supreme Court, Pietermaritzburg. Second explosion; no details
May 1983 Skirmish with SADF: Botswana border. Four MK members, one SADF member killed
May 1983 Government buildings: Roodepoort; Offices of Dept. Internal Affairs damaged in two explosions - R250 000 damages
20/05/83 SADF personnel and building: Nineteen killed ”” 2 MK members, 11 South African Air Force (SAAF) officers ”” in car bomb at entrance to SAAF headquarters, opposite building housing military intelligence personnel; 217 injured (number of military/ civilian injuries)
17/06/83 Economic: pylon at New Canada station, Johannesburg - SAP defuse bomb
28/06/83 Government buildings: Dept. Internal Affairs, Roodepoort, Johannesburg. Explosion; no details
July 1983 Economic: Sasol plant, Secunda Minor damage
07/07/83 Government buildings: Durban Supreme Court Two bombs defused
07/07/83 Government buildings: Dept. Internal Affairs, Roodepoort;
SAP building: Roodepoort - Bombs detonated at 00h40 causing structural damage
06/08/83 Armed propaganda: Bomb explodes at Temple Israel, Hillbrow, before Marais Steyn due to speak there; no injuries
20/08/83 Economic: substation near Mamelodi Explosion causes damage of R100 000 26/08/83 Government buildings: Ciskei consular generals offices, Carlton Centre, Johannesburg - Limpet mines explode at 18h50; one injured
08/09/83 Economic: electrical sub-stations, Johannesburg area Two (Randburg and Sandton) bombed
11/09/83 Economic: substations at Bryanston North and Fairland - Limpet mines cause structural damage
12/09/83 Government buildings: Ciskei offices in Pretoria - Limpet mine planted after hours causes structural damage
13/09/83 Economic/support of industrial action: Rowntree factory, Umbilo, Durban. Bomb blast at 19h45; structural damage
29/09/83 Economic: pylon in Vereeniging, Transvaal - Police defuse explosives
11/10/83 Economic/SADF personnel: Warmbaths; Mines explode at 02h20; extensively damages large fuel storage tanks, three rail tankers, one road tanker; two devices set to explode one hour later found on door of Civil Defence office; no injuries. PW Botha due to speak in Warmbaths.
14/10/83 Economic: two electricity pylons destroyed, Pietermaritzburg. Mines explode at 02h00 and 03h00
01/11/83 Economic: Durban - Buses at municipal bus depot damaged by bomb at midnight
Economic: Germiston Railway line bombed
Economic: Springs SAP defuses bomb on railway line
SAP building/personnel: Durban SAP workshop bombed; no details
02/11/83 SAP vehicles: Wentworth, Durban - Explosion at 02h55 damages vehicles in SAP mobile store and adjacent student residence (Alan Taylor Residence)
03/11/83 Economic: Bosmont railway station damaged by bomb
Economic: bus depot near Durban
SAP buildings: SAP store near Durban
22/11/83 Economic: Durban - Pylons damaged by two explosions
03/11/83 Economic: railway line, Bosmont/Newclare, Johannesburg railway line damaged in explosion. Railway line near Germiston, Johannesburg damaged by explosion. Railway line near Springs - explosives defused
03 or 07/12/83 Government building: office of Department of Community Development, Bree Street., Johannesburg - explosion; no injuries
08/12/83 Economic: railway 1km from Bloemfontein, OFS. Locomotive and two trucks derailed
12/12/83 Government buildings: offices of Department of Community Development and Commissioners Court, Johannesburg. Severe damage in limpet mine explosion; seven injured
15/12/83 Government buildings: offices of Department of Foreign Affairs, Johannesburg Seven injured in explosion
SADF buildings: Durban, Natal Command Headquarters. Three bombs explode on beach front nearby; no damage
19/12/83 Government Buildings: KwaMashu, Durban township offices - explosion causes R60 thousand damage
1984
According to the Institute for Strategic Studies, Pretoria, there were 44 MK attacks during this year.
1984 Skirmish with SAP: Mapetla - one MK member killed; no SAP injuries
1984 Skirmish with SAP: SAP ambush, Jabulani. One MK member killed, one injured
04/01/84 Skirmish with SAP: Mamelodi - One MK member killed
03/02/84 Government buildings: Ciskei consulate, Durban Offices destroyed in explosion
23/02/84 Economic: Eskom installation, Georgetown - slight damaged caused by explosion
29/02/84 Economic: Mandini Power Station, Natal. Bomb explodes; no information
SAP building: Mandini SAP station bombed; no details
11/03/84 Economic: Mobil fuel depot, Ermelo; Four explosions, extensive damage, five storage tanks destroyed; no injuries
12/03/84 Skirmishes with SAP: area unknown. Two SAP members seriously injured
April 1984 Skirmish with SAP: De Deur – One Mk member killed
05/04/84 Government buildings: Transkei consulate in Botshabelo - explosion destroys offices
12/05/84 Government buildings: Durban, Trust Bank; Explosion causes extensive damage to offices of Dept. Internal Affairs and Durban headquarters of the South African Railways Police.
13/05/84 Economic: Mobil Oil Refinery, Durban; Cadres set fire to refinery in RPG7 attack; running skirmish lasting several hours ends when car in which MK members were travelling is followed to construction site by police; all were killed along with three labourers who burned to death when paint store set alight in the battle. Four SAP members also injured.
16/05/84 SAP personnel: Jabulani, Johannesburg - Explosion destroys two private vehicles belonging to SAP members outside Jabulani SAP station
18/05/84 Economic: railway near Lenasia, Johannesburg damaged by explosion
06/06/84 Economic: petrol rail tankers, Merewent, Durban Four mines damage railway / defused (unclear)
08/06/84 Skirmish with SAP: Ndwedwe, Natal. Two MK members killed in running gunfight with SAP
21/06/84 Economic: substation, Berea, Durban. Explosion damages substation, disrupts supply
12/07/84 SAP personnel: Jabulani SAP vehicle attacked; one SAP member killed, one injured
28/07/84 Government buildings: SA Railways Police charge office, KwaMashu, Durban. Attacked with hand grenades
03/08/84 Skirmish with SAP: Ellisras area; one MK member killed - details unclear
7/08/84 Property of government personnel: Extensive damage to Tshabalala Dry Cleaners, Soweto
Economic: Glenmore, Durban Eskom sub-station destroyed
12/08/84 Government buildings: Department of Internal Affairs, Johannesburg - Explosion causes minor damage
16/08/84 SAP buildings/personnel: SAP headquarters, Soweto East; Roodepoort City Centre Building. Two mines destroy the second and third floors of building, injure District Commander, four SAP, two civilians; R260 000 damage
17/08/84 Skirmish with SAP: Mapetla – MK member resisting arrest killed
23/08/84 Government departments: Department of Education and Training, Booysens, Johannesburg - explosions destroy 4th floor at 18h30
24/08/84 Government buildings: South African Railways Police Regional offices, Department of Internal Affairs offices in Anchor Life Building - bomb explodes at 17h30; two civilians and four Railways Police injured
03/09/84 Government buildings: Dept. Internal Affairs, Johannesburg. Explosion at 16h07; four injured
05/09/84 Economic: Eskom sub-station, Rustenberg - Explosion destroys installations, disrupts power to Rustenberg and large area of Bophutatswana.
13/09/84 Economic: Eskom sub-station, Durban - Limpet mines cause damage
14/09/84 Government Buildings: Department of Community Development, Krugersdorp - Bomb at 17h00 causes damage
11/12/84 Economic: railway near Durban - explosion damages line, goods train damaged
14/12/84 Skirmish with SAP: Ingwavuma, Natal - one MK member killed, one SAP member injured
25/12/84 Skirmish with SAP: Ingwavuma – MK member killed
1985
According to the Institute for Strategic Studies, Pretoria, there were 136 MK attacks during this year, a 209% increase compared with figures for 1984.
??/01/85 Skirmish with SAP: Nongoma, Natal - Three MK members, 1 SAP member killed
??/03/85 SAP personnel: Mamelodi - Limpet mine destroys SAP vehicle; no injuries
??/03/85 Skirmish with SAP: Eastern Transvaal - Two MK membesr killed, one captured
??/03/85 SAP SB personnel: Tembisa, Johannesburg - Grenade attack on unnamed SB member’s home; no details
22/03/85 Skirmish with SAP unit: Bushbuckridge, Transvaal - Two MK members killed
??/04/85 Economic: Eskom sub-station, Durban - parking attendant killed
02/05/85 Economic/ support for workers: explosion at Anglo American and Anglovaal, Johannesburg, R170 thousand structural damage caused. Both had engaged in mass dismissals of mine workers
09/05/85 SAP personnel: two grenade attacks in Pretoria townships- No details
15/05/85 SAP building and personnel: Brakpan SAP barracks, Transvaal - three explosions; no details
15/05/85 Government buildings: Brakpan Commissioners court and offices of Messenger of the court - attacks on the morning of the funeral of Andries Raditsela who had died in detention
30/05/85 SADF building: Military Medical Centre, Johannesburg. Limpet mine causes structural damage
31/05/85 SADF building/personnel: Southern Cross Fund offices - fourteen injured
??/05/85 SAP personnel: GaRankuwa - SAP member killed by suspected insurgents
??/06/85 Government buildings: Lamontville, Durban. Three limpet mines explode at Natalia Development Board
??/06/85 SAP buildings: Umlazi SAP station, Durban. Three limpet mines explode; no details
??/06/85 Economic: Durban Eskom sub-station damaged by explosion
??/06/85 Economic/support of worker struggle: AECI offices, Johannesburg. Bomb damages offices; company was involved in labour dispute
??/06/85 SAP personnel Mmabatho: policeman who fired on crowd killed by alleged insurgents
??/06/85 Economic: Umtata, Transkei, Eastern Cape. Explosion destroys Transkei Development Corporation bulk fuel depot; disrupted water and power supplies
??/06/85 Collaborators in apartheid repression: Chatsworth, Durban Attack on home of Amichand Rajbansi with petrol bombs and hand grenades; no injuries
Government personnel: Attack on home of former Gugulethu town councillor, Cape Town; no details
??/07/85 Economic: Durban Limpet mines destroy sub-station
??/07/85 Skirmish with SAP: roadblock near East London - two MK members, one SAP member killed in shootout
??/07/85 SAP personnel: Soweto Group dubbed the Suicide Squad attacks home of two Soweto policemen
??/07/85 Support for worker struggles: Umlazi, Durban - hand grenade damages bakery in Umlazi where workers were on strike
??/07/85 Government personnel: hand grenade attack on former community councillor in Gugulethu
??/08/85 Home of MP Barend Andrews attacked with hand grenade - no injuries
02/08/85 Skirmish with SAP: roadblock near Mount Ruth. Two MK members and one SAP member killed
10/08/85 Economic: East London fuel depot - SAP defuse limpet mine
??/10/85 SAP personnel: Cape Town; Shots fired at police patrol; two incidents of attacks on police with hand grenades; no further details
??/10/85 SAP personnel: Mamelodi - home of SAP member attacked with hand grenade
??/11/85 SAP personnel: Cape Town - four people including SAP officer and wife, railways policeman, killed in various hand grenade attacks; total of 20 such attacks recorded by this time say SAP.
??/11/85 SADF personnel: Cape Town - three SADF members injured in grenade attacks
??/11/85 Economic: Central Johannesburg - building housing Institute of Bankers damaged in blast
??/11/85 SAP personnel: Cape Town - two grenade attacks on homes of SAP personnel
SAP buildings: Manenberg SAP Station, Cape Town -vehicles damaged in grenade attack
??/11/85 Economic: Sasol 2 and 3 - rocket attack; three members killed by SAP
??/11/85 SADF/Personnel actively assisting SADF: Soutpansberg area - anti-tank mine explodes; four SADF members and four others injured
??/11/85 Skirmish with Bophutatswana Police: Four MK members killed, two MK members injured
??/12/85 Economic: Bus depot Umlazi, Durban - no details
6/12/85 SAP personnel: police patrol in Soweto. One SAP member injured by grenade 08/12/85 SAP personnel: Chesterville, Durban. Home of SAP member bombed; no details
13/12/85 SADF personnel: troop carrier in Messina. One soldier injured in anti-tank mine explosion
??/12/85 Skirmish with SADF: near Botswana border One SADF killed
??/12/85 Government buildings: Chatsworth Magistrates Court, Durban - limpet mine explodes at 18h00; structural damage
14/12/85 Skirmish with SAP: Chiawelo, Johannesburg. One MK member killed
17/12/85 Economic/support of industrial action: Limpet mine explodes at 03h00; damages eight buses, PUTCO Fleetline depot, Umlazi, Durban
19/12/85 SADF/Personnel actively supporting SADF: Wiepe area. One farmer or civilian injured in anti-tank mine explosion
20/12/85 SADF/Personnel actively supporting SADF: Messina. Six killed in anti-tank mine explosion in game farm
23/12/85 MK response to state brutality: Five civilians killed, 40 injured in Amanzimtoti, Durban shopping centre blast; attempted warning failed; Andrew Zondo hanged.
29/12/85 Propaganda: pamphlet bomb, Durban. Defused by SAP
1986: In Parliament in February 1987, Adriaan Vlok refused to disclose the number or nature of incidents of sabotage, armed attacks and explosions that had occurred during 1986 as this was not in the interests of the safety of the Republic. According to the Institute of Strategic Studies at the University of Pretoria, there were 230 incidents of insurgency during the year, a 69,1% increase over the 136 incidents in 1985.
??/??/86 SAP personnel: home attacked in Springs, Transvaal. One person injured in grenade and AK-47 attack
??/??/86 Economic: Springs railway station. Limpet mine damages building
??/??/86 SAP personnel: Vosloorus, Transvaal. No details
??/01/86 SADF/ Personnel actively supporting SADF: Ellisras area near Botswana border Two killed in anti-tank mine explosion; no details
January 1986 SAP personnel: Soweto – MK member throws grenade at three SAP members; member killed; no details
04/01/86 SADF/personnel actively assisting SADF: Stockpoort (Botswana border) Two killed and two injured in anti-tank mine explosion
05/01/86 Skirmishes with SAP: roadblock on East London /King Williamstown road. One SAP member, one MK member killed
04/02/86 SADF personnel: Gugulethu - four SADF members injured when grenade thrown into their military vehicle
07/01/86 Personnel actively assisting SAP: Soweto - grenade thrown at Railways policeman
06/01/86 Skirmish with SAP: near East London - one member killed
08/01/86 Economic: Pretoria sub-station - damaged by explosion
09//01/86 Economic/ SAP personnel: Durban - limpet mine damages substation in Jacobs, second limpet explodes kills one SAP member, injures three - five SAP (or one SAP, two engineers)
18/01/86 Economic: substation in Westville, Durban. Two limpet mines damage substation
20/01/86 Economic/SAP personnel: Four limpets damage pylon near Durban; fifth probably aimed at SAP explodes later; no injuries
24/01/86 SAP personnel: Mamelodi - Sgt Makhulu killed in grenade attack on his home
??/02/86 SADF personnel: Gugulethu – Buffel, military vehicle attacked with grenade; four SADF injured slightly
01/02/86 SAP personnel: Lamontville - grenade thrown at patrol; one SAP injured
09/02/86 SAP personnel: Umlazi - limpet mine destroys two SAP vehicles at Umlazi SAP station when parked after returning from riot patrol; no injuries
19/02/86 SAP personnel: Cambridge East SAP station; Explosion in toilet block near Radio Control room; no injures
February 1986 Skirmish with SAP: near Port Elizabeth; Two MK memebrs killed, two SAP members injured
February 1986 Economic: Durban - explosion at Durban sub-station; no details
12/02/86 SADF/ personnel actively assisting SADF: near Messina - bakkie detonates anti-tank mine; no injuries
2/02/86 Skirmishes with SADF: near Alldays - one SADF member, one MK member killed
16/02/86 SADF personnel: Mamelodi - Casspir – type of police vehicle - severely damaged by anti-tank landmine
17/02/86 Skirmishes with SAP: Zwide, Eastern Cape. Two SAP members killed, two MK members killed, one arrested
SAP personnel: area unknown - one SAP member injured when vehicle hit by 10 bullets
??/02/86 Skirmishes with SAP: Zola, Soweto Cadre blows up two SAP, kills self with grenade
??/02/86 Economic: De Deur Limpet causes structural damage to substation 01/03/86 Skirmishes with SAP: Port Elizabeth or Grahamstown One SAP seriously injured, cadre killed
03/03/896 Skirmishes with SAP: Gugulethu - police execute seven MK members
04/03/86 SAP building/personnel: John Vorster Square - two SAP members, two civilians injured in explosion on 3rd floor
07/03/86 SAP building/personnel: Hillbrow SAP Station, Johannesburg - limpet found and detonated by SAP
15/03/86 Government buildings: Limpet mine explodes in front of Springs railway station, outside Indian Administration Offices; one civilian seriously injured
17/03/86 SAP personnel: Mamelodi - SAP member shot; dies in hospital
18/03/86 SAP personnel: Mamelodi - Constable Sinki Vuma shot dead at home
19/03/86 SAP personnel: limpet mine attack on SB member (no area); car destroyed
21/03/86 Economic: Durban - four mines explode at Eskom sub-station
26/03/86 Skirmish with SAP: Vosloorus, Johannesburg - one cadre killed when he allegedly threw grenade at SAP members
08/04/86 Collaborators in apartheid repression: attack on home of former Labour Party (LP) secretary in Natal, Kevin Leaf. No injuries
??/03/86 SAP Personnel: Dobsonville, Johannesburg. SAP come under fire at funeral; no details
21/04/86 SADF / personnel actively assisting SADF: Breyten/Chrissiesmeer district - two anti-tank landmines detonate, injuring two civilians in taxi and one tractor driver
21/04/86 Skirmishes with SAP: Alexandra, Johannesburg – MK member attacks SAP, one seriously injured; member retreated unharmed
23/04/86 Government buildings: Cala, Eastern Cape. Blast at post office; no injuries
24/04/86 Government building: Meyerspark post office. Explosion causes structural damage
27/04/86 Skirmishes with SAP: Edendale hospital, Pietermaritzburg. Gordon Webster rescued; one civilian killed, two SAP members injured
25/05/86 SADF / personnel actively assisting SADF: farm of Colonel Koos Durr, near Davel Anti-tank mine kills two, injures eight
26/05/86 as above: same road landmine detonated by tractor - no injuries
10/06/86 SADF/ personnel actively assisting SADF: the farm Boshoek, 5km from Volksrust. Anti-tank mine injures one person
10/06/86 SADF/ personnel actively assisting SADF: the farm Blomhof,near Volksrust. Anti-tank mine injures two farm workers
14/06/86 SADF personnel: Magoos/ Why Not bars, Durban. Car bomb kills three, injures 69, the majority civilians; Robert McBride sentenced to death for this attack
16/06/86 SADF/ personnel actively assisting SADF: Winterveldt: Probable anti-tank mine explosion kills three Bophuthatswana Defence Force (BDF) troops in troop carrier
22/06/86 Economic: fuel storage tanks, Jacobs - limpet damages tanks
Economic: liquid fuel pipeline between Sapref and Mobil Refinery near Durban damaged by limpet mine
26/06/86 SAP personnel: Soshanguve. Grenade attack on SAP members home; no details
27/06/86 Skirmishes with SAP: roadblock near Botswana border Four MK members killed, one SAP member injured
29/06/86 Government buildings: Alice post office, Eastern Cape. Explosion; no injuries
30/06/86 SAP personnel: Westville, Natal. Mine explodes on pedestrian bridge; second limpet aimed at responding SAP members explodes 15 minutes later
July 1986 Skirmish with SAP: Mdantsane, Eastern Cape. After a two-hour gun battle SAP kill one MK member
05/07/86 SAP buildings: Mowbray SAP station, Cape Town. Explosion slightly injures two SAP members
05/07/86 SADF/Personnel actively assisting SADF: Volksrust. One person injured by anti-tank landmine; no details
05/07/86 Government personnel: Vosloorus and Katlehong; Five Development Board officials killed in two attacks on their vehicles; two MK members killed
06/07/86 Skirmishes with SAP: Empangeni, Natal. Three MK members killed, one arrested
10/07/86 SAP building: Silverton. Explosion injures seven people
22/07/86 SAP personnel: Katlehong, One SAP member killed
26/07/86 SAP personnel: Katlehong MK members attack municipal police twice; both members killed, five police killed, 12 police injured
30/07/86 SAP personnel: Umtata SAP station, Eastern Cape. Three SAP members, four civilians die, seven SAP members injured in grenade and AK-47 attack
28/07/86 Skirmish with SAP: Nelspruit. Two MK members killed
30/07/86 SADF/Personnel actively supporting SADF: near Nelspruit, Eastern Transvaal. Anti-tank landmine explodes: no injuries
03/08/86 Government buildings: Lakeside post office. Explosion; no injuries
09/08/86 SAP Personnel: Durban. Lieut. Victor Raju killed in grenade attack on his home
16/08/86 Skirmish with SAP: Eastern Transvaal, near Swaziland. Four MK members killed, one injured
16/08/86 SADF/ personnel actively assisting SADF: Eastern Transvaal border area. Anti-tank landmine kills five, injures two civilians
17/08/86 SADF/ personnel actively assisting SADF: the farm Stellen Rust near Nelspruit, Eastern Transvaa.l Anti-tank mine injures two civilians
22/08/86 Personnel actively assisting SAP: Natal - Grenade attack on Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) member, Winnington Sabelo; AK-47 fired at car of his wife as she entered the driveway, killing her and injuring three children
24/08/86 Government personnel: Imbali, Pietermaritzburg. Grenade attack on home of town councillor Austin Kwejama; one child killed, one child injured
24/09/86 Government personnel/ support for community action: Home of Soweto Housing Director, Del Kevin, extensively damaged by limpet mine; no injuries
30/09/86 Skirmishes with SAP: Northern Natal. One SAP member injured
Early Oct. 1986 SAP building: SAP station Newcastle, Natal attacked, no details
06/10/86 SADF/ personnel actively assisting SADF: Mbuzini, near Mozambique border. Anti-tank landmine injures six SADF members in military vehicle
20/10/86 SAP buildings: Lamontville SAP station. Limpet mine explosion outside; no injuries
22/10/86 Personnel actively supporting SADF: two anti-tank landmine explosions. Damage to property
31/10/86 SAP personnel: Umlazi - Det. W/O Seleka killed in grenade attack on home
Early Nov. 1986 Economic/ support for community struggle Two offices of PUTCO (bus company) bombed in Soweto after fare increase of 17,5% announced
02 or 04/11/86 SADF/Personnel actively assisting SADF: near Nelspruit. Anti-tank landmine explosion kills one woman, one child injured
04/11/86 SADF personnel: landmine - Eastern Transvaal - One soldier on horseback killed
10/11/86 Government buildings: Newcastle, Natal. Magistrates Court - two bombs explode; 24 injuries including Magistrate and Public Prosecutor
14/11/86 SADF/ personnel actively assisting SADF: Alldays district - landmine injures farmer and son
23/11/86 Government buildings: Fordsburg flats, Johannesburg. Limpet mines explode at new housing for Soweto town councillors; no injuries
??/11/86 SAP Personnel: KTC Camp - Grenade injures two SAP members
15/12/86 SADF / personnel actively assisting SADF: Barberton area, Transvaal. Anti-tank landmine injures two SAP members in SAP vehicle
19/12/86 SADF / personnel actively assisting SADF: Komatipoort area. Anti-tank landmine injures SADF member
Government personnel: Soweto - Grenade attack on home of Soweto councillor; two SAP members injured
27/12/86 Skirmishes with SAP: near Messina, Northern Transvaal. Two SAP members, three MK members killed; two MK members escape
1987 Note: According to the Institute of Strategic Studies at the University of Pretoria, there were 234 incidents of insurgency during 1987; there had been 230 in 1986.
1987 SAP personnel: home of Hlongwane, Mamelodi - damage to property
1987 Government buildings: Johannesburg Magistrates Court - Four killed, several injured 1987 SAP buildings: Kwandebele SAP station - No details
01/01/87 SADF personnel: Alexandra. National servicemen attacked; at least one injured
08/01/86 SAP personnel: AECI plant. Policeman shot at; skirmish followed in which two SAP members and one civilian injured
09/01/87 Support for strike action: OK Bazaars Eloff Street, Johannesburg. Bomb explodes, no injuries
12/01/87 OK Bazaars HQ: Bomb causes extensive damage, no injures (Note: there had been a protracted strike.)
09/01/87 SAP personnel: near KTC, Cape Town. Riot Squad member killed, two injured by grenade thrown into their vehicle
23/01/87 Skirmishes with SAP: Soweto. Two MK members killed
24/01/87 Skirmishes with SAP: Mendu, Willowvale. One Transkei Defence Force or Transkei police member injured
30/01/87 SAP/SADF personnel: Alexandra. Three SADF members and one SAP member killed in attack
31/01/87 Government personnel: Diepmeadow, Johannesburg; Home of town councillor Senokoane attacked; six injured including two SAP officers
02/02/87 SAP personnel: Single Quarters, Bokomo SAP Station. Two attacks with grenades; one SAP injured
18/02/87 SADF personnel: Tladi Secondary School, Johannesburg. Grenade attack kills for SADF personnel
19/02/87 Personnel actively assisting SAP: Grenade injures Chief Lushaba and Samuel Jamile of IFP
03/03/87 SAP personnel: Gugulethu. MK member shot dead by police after he allegedly fired on their patrol with an AK-47
09/03/87 SAP personnel: Gugulethu One SAP member and two municipal police killed; one MK member possibly killed
11/03/87 Skirmishes with SAP: Zone 13 Mdantsane. Ciskei police confirm skirmish, no details
11/03/87 Skirmish with SAP: New Crossroads, Cape Town. MK member shot dead in house
13/03/87 Skirmishes with SAP: Atteridgeville, Pretoria. Four municipal police killed, one injured
16/03/87 SAP personnel: Kagiso Grenade attack on home of SAP member; no injuries
17/03/87 Skirmishes with SAP: Inanda SAP raid; Mk member resisted; SAP kill one MK member, one woman, injure man and baby
17/03/87 Economic: railway line between Newcastle and Johannesburg Three explosions damage line
28/03/87 SADF / personnel actively assisting SADF: Josefsdal/Swaziland border area. Anti-tank landmine kills four, injures one civilian
01/04/87 SAP/SADF personnel: Mabopane or Mamelodi. Grenade thrown into Hippo (a military vehicle), three SADF members killed, two injured
01/04/87 Government personnel: Dobsonville Grenade thrown at home of Councillor Radebe; no injuries
02/04/87 SAP personnel: Nyanga, Cape Town. Grenade injures three SAP members
08/04/87 Skirmishes with SAP: Ventersdorp Two MK members, one SAP member killed in shootout
09/04/87 SAP personnel: Meadowlands Zone 10. Three SAP members attacked; casualties unknown
14/04/87 SAP personnel: Chesterville, Durban. Grenade attack on home of SAP member; no injuries
15/04/87 SAP personnel: Umbumbulu SB officer killed by sniper, another SB member injured
20/04/87 SADF personnel: Dube station, Johannesburg. Grenade thrown at group of soldiers; casualties not reported
??/04/87 Skirmish with SAP: Umlazi Three MK members killed, four SAP members injured, one critically, in shootout
23/04/87 SAP personnel: Bonteheuwel, Cape Town. Grenade attack on home of SAP member - no details
Personnel actively assisting SAP: Mitchells Plain, Cape Town. Grenade attack on home of security guard; no details
SAP personnel: Ravensmead, Cape Town. Grenade attack on home of SAP member; no details
24/04/87 Skirmishes with SAP: Umlazi, Durban. SAP raid; MK members resisted; three SAP members injured, two MK members killed
30/04/87 SAP personnel: Osizweni, Newcastle. SAP barracks - grenade attack; four SAP members injured
??/04/87 SAP personnel: KTC, Cape Town. Seven SAP members injured in grenade attack on their patrol
04/05/87 SADF / personnel actively assisting SADF: area west of Messina, Northern Transvaal. Driver killed and 10 passengers injured when truck detonates landmine
09/05/87 Skirmishes with SAP: Mamelodi, Pretoria. One SAP member, three SADF members, one MK member killed
16/05/87 SAP personnel: Newcastle, Natal. Explosion at Newcastle station waiting room; second explosion at 01h34 while SAP investigating first blast; one SAP member injured
20/05/87 Government buildings; SAP personnel: Johannesburg Magistrates Court. Car bomb kills three SAP membesr, injures four SAP members, six civilians injured
11/06/87 Skirmishes with SAP: Emdeni, Soweto. SAP raid/ ambush: one MK member, one SAP member killed
12/06/87 SAP personnel: Witbank, Eastern Transvaal. Two SAP members found dead
Government buildings: Athlone Magistrates Court. Limpet mine explodes; no details
15/06/87 Government personnel: Gugulethu, Cape Town. Grenade attack on home of councillor; four injured, two of them special constables
16/06/87 Government personnel: Guglethu. Grenade attack on councillors home; two injured
21/06/87 SAP personnel: KTC camp. Grenade attack on SAP patrol injures seven SAP members
22/06/87 SAP personnel: KTC. Two SAP members, five municipal police injured in grenade attack
12/07/87 Skirmishes with SAP: Athlone, Cape Town. SAP raid; one MK member killed, four arrested
06/07/87 Skirmishes with SAP: Mdantsane; SAP ambush: MK member kills two, injures three Riot Unit SAP members; MK member shot dead
08/07/87 Skirmish with SAP: Motherwell, Port Elizabeth. SAP crush alleged MK member and his sister to death in shack after they allegedly were fired on
18/07/87 SAP personnel: Mamelodi East. SAP member and wife injured in attack on their home
??/07/87 Skirmish with SAP: Mdantsane. Two SAP members, one MK member killed in shootout
20/07/87 SADF personnel: SADF flats, District Six, Cape Town. Car bomb explodes; no injuries
25/07/86 SAP/SADF personnel: Pimville, Johannesburg. Grenade thrown at home; exploded outside house
26/07/87 Skirmishes with SAP: Katlehong. MK member escaped; no details
30/07/87 SADF personnel/ personnel actively assisting SADF: the farm Bodena owned by Danie Hough - anti-tank landmine injures three civilians
30/07/87 SADF personnel and buildings: Car bomb explodes outside Witwatersrand Command killing one SADF member, injuring 68 military personnel and civilians
??/07/87 SAP personnel: Gugulethu. Home of SAP officer attacked with grenade
05/08/87 Skirmishes with SAP: Ntsekisa Rd, New Brighton, Port Elizabeth. MK member killed in shootout
13/08/87 SAP personnel: Emdeni. SAP member. injured in grenade attack on SAP van
23/08/87 SADF personnel: Emdeni. Shop frequented by SADF members attacked with grenades; no details
24/08/87 SAP personnel: Emdeni. Grenade thrown at SAP vehicle; two SAP members, eight civilians injured
27/08/87 Government personnel: Soweto; Home of former Mayor Kunene attacked; two council police killed
30/08/87 SADF personnel: Military barracks, Dobsonville, Johannesburg. Grenade thrown at five soldiers outside barracks; estimated eight SADF members killed or injured
02/09/87 Skirmish with SAP: Sandton, Johannesburg. SAP kill MK member after he allegedly threw a grenade at a roadblock
??/09/87 Skirmishes with SAP: near Zimbabwe border. SAP say six MK members killed in various incidents
24/09/87 SAP personnel: Soweto. 10 people including two SAP members injured in grenade attack on SAP patrol
??/09/87 SAP Personnel: Marble Hall. Commander of KwaNdebele National Guard Unit and his son (also SAP officer) found shot dead by AK-47 fire
01/10/87 Collaborators in apartheid repression: Bomb placed outside door of Amichand Rajbansi’s NPP office in Lenasia explodes hours after official opening; no injuries
17/10/87 Skirmishes with SAP: Heidedal, Bloemfontein SAP raid on house comes under fire; no details
28/10/87 Skirmishes with SAP: Swaziland border. MK member wounded; killed SADF member who approached him
06/11/87 SAP personnel: Khayelitsha, Cape Town. One Special constable, two civilians killed by sniper fire
12/11/87 Government buildings: Zola Municipal offices, Johannesburg. Two limpet mines explode, third detonated by SAP
14/11/87 SADF personnel: Cape Town; SADF commemoration march to the Castle: limpet mine explodes in bin which over 700 SAP and SADF filed past; 1 SADF member injured
18/11/87 Government buildings: Johannesburg post office. Limpet mine found
23/11/87 Skirmishes with SAP: Umlazi. SAP raid on house: two MK members and alleged collaborator killed; two SAP members injured by MK members who resisted
30/11/87 SAP buildings/personnel: Dube municipal training centre, Johannesburg. Three explosions; no injuries
10/12/87 Skirmishes with SAP: Port Elizabeth area. SAP raid on shack; heavy resistance from MK members. SAP drove Casspir over shack, killing four
12/12/87 SAP personnel: Soweto. Group of SAP members fired on by MK members in car; two SAP members killed, four injured
??/12/87 SAP personnel: Nyanga. Group of five Special Constables come under fire; one killed
1988 SAP personnel: ambush in Emdeni, Soweto. No information
January 1988 SAP personnel: attack on police in Kliptown, Johannesburg. No information
25/01/88 Skirmishes with SAP: Ugie, Eastern Transvaal, roadblock. MK members wound one SAP member, retreat safely
25/01/88 SAP personnel: Kokstad, Natal. Limpet exploded at Kokstad Mens Club opposite Kokstad SAP station; frequented by SAP; building, two vehicles damaged
27/01/88 SAP personnel: Soweto. MK members open fire on SAP vehicle; three SAP members, one civilian injured
01/02/88 Skirmishes with SAP: Transkei roadblock. MK members attempted to resist; three killed, one injured by Transkei police
02/02/88 Skirmishes with SAP: near Mount Fletcher, Eastern Cape. MK member killed in skirmish: no details
06/02/88 SAP personnel: East London. One SAP member killed in attack; no details
12/02/88 SAP personnel: Soweto. Municipal police guarding installation attacked; two injured
12/02/88 Personnel actively assisting SAP: Johannesburg. MK member opens fire on car driven by ex-Rhodesian soldier, now private security firm official; details on injuries unclear
01/03/88 SADF personnel: Benoni, Transvaal. Explosion causes extensive damage to bus transporting SAAF personnel; no details
07/03/88 Skirmishes with SAP: Queenstown, Eastern Cape. SAP raid; MK member resisted, wounded six SAP members; MK member and civilian killed by SAP
08/03/88 SAP personnel: Phiri Hall, SAP mess. Prolonged attack kills one SAP member, wounds 10 SAP members
14/03/88 Government building: Johannesburg City Hall. Bomb explodes; no injuries
17/03/88 SAP personnel: Krugersdorp magistrate’s court and adjacent SAP Station. Two SADF members, one civilian killed; 20 injured in car bomb court and adjacent SAP station; plan to prevent civilian injuries failed
18/03/88 SAP personnel: Atteridgeville. MK members attack tavern frequented by SAP members; three SAP members killed
25/03/88 Skirmishes with SADF: Batavia, Far Northern Transvaal. Three MK members killed
27/03/88 SAP/SADF personnel: Pietersburg, Northern Transvaal.; Antheas Club, frequented by SAP and SADF members, slightly damaged by limpet placed in back garden; no injuries
28/03/88 Skirmishes with SADF: island on Mutale river. Four MK members killed, one injured
??/03/88 Economic: Fort Jackson, Eastern Cape electrical sub-station. Three limpet mines cause damage, no injuries
09/04/88 Government buildings: Atteridgeville. Development Board canteen - limpet explodes nearby; no injuries
12/04/88 Skirmishes with SAP: Mpumalanga township; SAP cornered MK member who killed self and two SAP members with grenade; trapped second MK member who resisted: MK member killed one SAP member and three civilians wounded in crossfire
15/04/88 Government buildings: Atteridgeville Municipal offices. Limpet mine explodes; no details
15/04/88 Explosion outside Pretoria Sterland cinema. One MK member killed, one civilian injured. According to an ANC official in Lusaka, the intended target was a nearby government building; the bomb exploded prematurely
22/04/88 SAP personnel: Soweto. MK members ambush municipal police vehicle, wounds four SAP members, one civilian
25/04/88 SAP personnel: Newcastle. Sgt JM Mazibuku killed at bus stop
01/05/88 SAP personnel: Cape Town; Special Guard Unit vehicle attacked. No injuries
04/05/88 SAP personnel / buildings: Kagiso SAP Single Quarters. Limpet mine explodes against wall; no details
10/05/88 SAP personnel: Mamelodi. Grenade attack on SAP members home; child killed
14/05/88 Skirmishes with SAP: Newcastle. SAP raid home of MK member who resisted but was killed
24/05/88 SAP personnel: Germiston station. MK member opened fire on SAP at station; killed when SAP returned fire; three civilians injured in crossfire
03/06/88 SADF buildings / personnel: SA Irish Regiment HQ, Anderson St, Johannesburg Explosion; no details
03/06/88 SAP personnel / buildings: Explosion outside Standard Bank, Roodepoort during lunch hour kills 4, injures 18 civilians According to an ANC official in Lusaka, the target had not been civilians but an SAP station nearby; no details on what operational difficulties caused this incident.
20/06/88 SAP personnel: Mdanstane .W/O Swelindawo of Ciskei police injured in explosion at his home
29/06/88 SADF personnel: cafe in Poynton building frequented by SADF and Prisons officials. Explosion injures two SADF members, two Prisons personnel, 13 civilians
05/07/88 Skirmishes with SAP: Gugulethu. Police raid; MK member resisted for 3 hours; shot dead
12/07/88 Landmine incident - no details
14/07/88 Skirmishes with SADF: Kruger National Park; follow-up operation after 12/07 Four MK members killed
16/07/88 SAP personnel: Nyanga. MK member fires on SAP vehicle; one civilian killed, one injured SAP member returns fire; MK member wounded
17/07/88 SAP personnel: Soweto highway. MK member opens fire on SAP vehicle from back of bakkie; two SAP members injured
22/07/88 Government personnel: Soweto. Grenade attack on home of Soweto Council personnel manager, BE Qakisa; no details
23/07/88 SAP personnel: Pinetown, Natal. MK member wounded SAP member; no details
26/07/88 Government personnel: Soweto. Three grenade attacks on homes of Administration Board employees( P. Legare, Mr Naledi, Mr Gumede); no details
??/07/88 Collaborators in apartheid represssion: Lenasia, Transvaal. Explosion outside home of member of Presidents Council, Dr Ismail Jajbhay; no injuries
03/08/88 SADF building and personnel: Wits Command. Car bomb explodes; no injuries
Skirmishes with SAP: Bridgewater area. Five MK members killed in two incidents
04/08/88 Skirmishes with SAP: Wild Coast hotel, Transkei. SAP raid; one MK member killed, one escapes
08/08/88 Skirmishes with SAP: near Palala River. No details
19/08/88 SADF buildings/personnel: The Castle, Cape Town. Mini-limpet mine explodes within Castle grounds; no details
20/08/88 Government personnel: Duncan Village, Eastern Cape. Grenade attack on home of mayor, Eddie Makeba; extensive damage; no injuries
??/08/88 Government buildings: Westville Post Office, Durban. Mini-limpet explodes; no injuries
??/09/88 Collaborators in apartheid repression: Bomb goes off at Laudium, Pretoria home of Pretoria municipal election candidate; no injuries
22/09/88 Collaborators in apartheid repression: Explosion at the home of municipal election candidate SD Goolam injures four SAP members, two guards, one civilian
??/09/88 Three limpet mines in Lenasia explode at the offices of the Lenasia bus service, at the home of the Lenasia Management Committee, and the offices of the House of Delegates; no injuries
??/09/88 Government buildings: King Williamstown Magistrates Court, Eastern Cape. Bomb explodes, no injuries
02/09/88 Government buildings: Standerton post office. Limpets discovered
03/09/88 Skirmishes with SAP: Molweni, Durban. MK members fires on SAP from house; MK member killed, four injured
10/09/88 SAP building/personnel: Moroka SAP Station barracks, Johannesburg. No details on results of explosion
10/09/88 Collaborators in apartheid repression: Mini-limpet placed under basin next to back door of Lenasia House of Delegates (HOD) candidate, Mrs Ebrahim; no details
19/09/88 SAP building and personnel: Benoni, Eastern Transvaal. Car bomb explodes in flats 100m from SAP station; two civilians injured
??/09/88 SAP buildings and personnel: Woodstock Police Station, Cape Town. Mini-limpet explodes, no injuries
??/09/88 SAP Personnel: Soweto. Home of municipal policeman attacked, child injured
??/10/88 Government buildings: Redhill Post Office, Durban. Bomb explodes; no injuries
??/10/88 Collaborators in apartheid repression: Bomb damages campaign headquarters of a Wentworth municipal candidate in Durban
??/10/88 Government personnel: Municipal councillor and assistant escape injury when hand grenades thrown at them in Thokoza, Eastern Transvaal.
??/10/88 Explosion at KwaThema civic centre, Eastern Transvaal, used as polling point in municipal elections; baby killed, four people injured
??/10/88 Government buildings: Magistrates Courts at Wynberg (Johannesburg), Bishop Lavis, Cape Town and Stellenbosch, Western Cape. Explosions at these three places cause no injuries
??/10/88 SAP Buildings: Woodstock Police Station. Bomb causes damage, no injuries
??/10/88 SAP Personnel: Tembisa police barracks. Limpet mine explodes, injures four SAP members
??/10/88 SAP Buildings and personnel: near Alexandra Municipal Police offices. Limpet mine causes extensive damage, no injuries
??/10/88 Government personnel: Wattville and Thokoza, Eastern Transvaal. Homes of municipal candidates attacked with hand grenades; no injuries. Tumahole; Limpet mine explodes at homes of two councillors; no injuries. Gompo Town; Hand grenade attack on home of deputy mayor; no injuries
??/10/88 SAP buildings and personnel: Katlehong Municipal Police barracks. Mini-limpet explodes, no details
??/10/88 SAP personnel: Potchefstroom, building housing Security Branch. Bomb explodes, at least one SAP member injured
??/11/88 Government buildings: Port Elizabeth Post Office. Limpet mine explodes, no injuries
??/12/88 Government buildings: Boksburg - Receiver of Revenue offices. Limpet mine explodes; no injuries
??/12/88 Government offices: Brakpan, Department of Home Affairs. Limpet mine causes damage, no injuries
??/12/88 Government buildings: Cape Two municipal buildings, Magistrates Court in Paarl, Western Cape. Bombs explode; no injuries
??/10/88 Economic: Sandton. Eskom substation. Limpet mine explodes
??/10/88 Government buildings: Diepmeadow, Johannesburg. Mini-limpet damages offices, no injuries
1989 SAP personnel: Jabulani, Soweto. Mine detonates under vehicle; no details
??/??89 SAP personnel: attack in Diepkloof. Unnamed SAP member killed by AK-47 fire
??/01/89 Economic: Post Office, King Williamstown. No details.
Economic: Railways, Wilsonia, (E Cape) No details
Economic : Mount Ruth railway station, Mdantsane. No details
??/01/89 Economic/SAP personnel: Glenwood, Durban. Eskom sub-station damaged by explosion; SAP defuse second bomb nearby
??/01/89 Economic: Sandhurst, Johannesburg. Explosion at Eskom sub-station
??/01/89 Collaborators in apartheid repression: Benoni. Limit mine explodes at home of the chair of the Ministers Council in the House of Delegates - extensive damage, no injuries
??/01/89 Economic/military: Ciskei. Explosion at aircraft factory; no injuries; no further details
??/01/89 SAP building/personnel: Katlehong Municipal Police Station. Two municipal police killed in grenade attack
??/02/89 SAP building: municipal police barracks, Soweto. Structural damage; 4 SAP members injured
??/02/89 SAP personnel: parade in Katlehong. One municipal constable killed, nine injured
??/02/89 SAP personnel: Col. D. Dlamini, commander of Katlehong SAP Station. Limpet explodes at his home; no details
??/03/89 SADF buildings: Natal Command headquarters. Explosion; no injuries
??/04/89 SAP buildings/personnel: SAP headquarters, Durban. Explosion at single quarters; no details
??/04/89 SAP buildings: Yeoville SAP Station, Johannesburg. Bomb explodes; no injuries
??/04/89 SAP buildings: SAP station, Durban. No injuries in explosion
??/04/89 SAP Outpost: Katlehong. Five special constables injured
??/04/89 SAP personnel: Thokoza. Two municipal police injured when grenades thrown at councillor’s home
??/04/89 Government personnel: Thokoza. Grenade thrown at home of Councillor Abram Mzizi; no details
??/04/89 SAP personnel: Single quarters. No details
??/04/89 Economic: Nigel post office, Eastern Transvaal. Explosion; no injuries
??/05/89 SADF installation: Klippan Radar Station. Attack by large group of MK guerrillas using mortars; no injuries reported
??/06/89 SAP personnel: Duduza, East Rand. Limpet explodes under SAP vehicle; four civilians injured
??/06/89 SAP personnel: Tsakane. Limpet explodes under vehicle outside SAP member’s home
??/06/89 SAP personnel: Tsakane. Grenade thrown at SAP patrol; no details
??/06/89 SAP personnel: Soweto. Limpet explodes in rubbish bin outside home of SAP member
??/06/89 SAP personnel: KwaThema SAP station, Springs, Transvaal. Bomb shatters window of dining hall
??/06/89 SAP personnel: Ratanda SAP Single Quarters. Limpet mine explodes; no injuries
??/06/89 Collaborators in apartheid repression: Limpet mine at home of Boetie Abramjee Labour Party MP; no details
??/08/89 Armed propaganda: Grenade explodes at Labour Party polling station, Bishop Lavis, Cape Town
??/08/89 SAP building/personnel: Brixton Flying Squad headquarters. Attacked with hand grenades and AK-47; no injuries reported
??/08/89 SAP personnel: Lt-Col. Frank Zwane, former liaison officer for SAP, Soweto; Zwane and two sons injured in grenade attack
??/08/89 SAP building: Athlone SAP Station. Explosion; no details
??/09/89 SAP equipment/personnel: Duduza. Limpet mine on SAP vehicle: no details
??/09/89 Government buildings: municipal offices, Alexandra No information
??/09/89 SAP personnel: patrol ambushed, Katlehong. No information
??/09/89 SAP building: Mamelodi SAP station. Mini-limpet explodes outside; SAP vehicle damaged
APPENDIX FIVEARMED ACTIONS FOR WHICH TARGET CATEGORY AND/OR RESPONSIBILITY IS UNCERTAIN
Please note:
This list includes all incidents we have found in press reports and from SAIRR annual surveys which cannot be classified according to the target categories used in the appendix headed "list of known MK operations". In addition, we are uncertain as to whether these attacks were carried out by bona fide MK cadres. Some appear to be the result of operational difficulties; others very probably "false flag" operations.
07/03/77 Pretoria restaurant destroyed by bomb - no details
25/11/77 Bomb explodes at Carlton Centre, Johannesburg; 14 injured.
30/11/77 Bomb explodes on Pretoria bound train
14/12/77 Bomb explodes in Benoni station
22/12/77 Unexploded bomb found in OK Bazaars, Roodepoort
??/02/78 It is reported that an unexploded bomb "capable of destroying 22 storey building found in Johannesburg office block"
??/02/81 Bomb blast in Durban shopping centre; two injuries
26/06/81 Durban Cenotaph: 2 bombs explode
26/07/81 Two bombs extensively damage motor vehicle firms in central Durban, 05h50 and 06h10; three injuries
06/08/81 Bomb explodes in East London shopping complex minutes before rush hour; no details
08/08/81 Bomb explodes in Port Elizabeth shopping centre in similar manner to East London bomb
??/12/82 Southern Free State Administration Board, Bloemfontein; blast leaves one dead, 70 injured
12/02/83 Free State Administration Board offices; bomb injures 76 people
12/03/83 Bomb on railway coach on Johannesburg bound passenger train
13/05/83 Explosive device (37kg of explosives in gas cylinder) found by SAP under bridge on Southern Freeway, Durban; defused
03/04/84 Car bomb at Victoria Embankment, Durban, kills three civilians, injures 20 civilians Note: According to the SAIRR, two of those killed were Daya Rengasami and his wife Navi. He had been a member of the South African Students Organisation (SASO) and the Black Peoples Convention (BPC). The ANC in Lusaka denied an SABC report that it had claimed responsibility; other reports claimed that the ANC had prepared a statement on the blast which was held back once it emerged that the Rengasami’s were casualties of the bomb. Rajbansi said he believed his offices nearby had been the intended target of the bomb. The investigating officer was Capt. Andrew Taylor of the SB who is one of the accused in the Mxenge trial; he may be able to supply more details.
08/04/84 Arson attack at Hermansberg German Mission, Natal; extensive damage to vehicles and farming equipment
??/08/85 three limpet mines explode in department stores in Durban, causing limited damage and no injuries
??/08/85 Bomb explodes in night club at an Umlazi hotel, Durban; 30 children injured
27/09/85 Limpet mines damage basement of OK Bazaars (17h00 and early hours of 28/09), Smith Street; Game Stores (17h30), Checkers (17h30), all in central Durban. Limpet mine defused in Spar, 18h30, central Durban
??/10/85 Home of Umlazi headmaster attacked with hand grenade. Limpet mines found at school in Durban (no details on area)
??/11/85 Building housing Institute of Bankers in central Johannesburg damaged in blast
??/11/85 Hand grenade explodes at Barclays National Bank branch, Woodstock
??/12/85 Grenade attack on tourist kombi in central Durban; no details
21/12/85 Limpet mine attached to minibus injures 8 or 13 civilians
??/02/86 Hand grenade explodes in Transkei minister's official car; no details
10/02/86 Large bomb defused by SAP in Amanzimtoti 200m from where the December 1985 blast (for which Andrew Zondo was hanged) took place.
17/03/86 Mini-limpet discovered at Afrikaans high school at Elsburg, Germiston; police detonate limpet
19/03/86 Bomb blast inside wall of Springs New Apostolic Church
10/04/86 Limpet mine at Braamfontein station; one person killed, four injured
18/04/86 Bomb explodes in casino of Wild Coast Holiday Inn; two civilians killed, one injured Note: the ANC denied responsibility for this attack.
01/05/86 Two grenades thrown at the home of Mr Klein, principal of Wentworth Primary School, Durban. Klein says he is not politically involved. He was a police reservist some time ago. Klein and wife both injured.
07/05/86 Benmore Gardens Shopping Centre, Sandton, Johannesburg. Bomb causes extensive damage, no injuries
??/05/86 SAP say a 15kg bomb was found under a car in downtown Durban; defused
22/06/86 Limpet mine explodes at 01h45 outside Copper Shop, West St, Durban
24/06/86 Explosion at 14h00 injures 16 civilians at a Wimpy Bar, Rissik Street, outside President Hotel, Johannesburg; explosion at 14h26 seriously injures five civilians
28/06/86 Queenstown shopping centre; explosion just before 12h00 injures two civilians
??/06/86 Bomb explodes at Jabulani Amphitheatre, Soweto; no injuries
??/06/86 Ten people killed in explosion in minibus in Bophutatswana
??/06/86 Limpet mine explodes in Queenstown shopping centre; one child injured
??/06/86 Limpet mine explodes in Johannesburg restaurant, injuring 17 people
01/07/86 Explosion outside Carlton Hotel injures 8 civilians
04/07/86 Limpet mine explodes outside Checkers supermarket in Silverton; 20 civilians injured
01/09/86 Pick and Pay supermarket Montclair, Durban; bomb injures 1 civilian
07/09/86 The Durban holiday home for underprivileged children escaped unscathed after a car bomb blast nearby
??/09/86 Mini-limpet explodes in bar of Devonshire Hotel injuring three civilians (this was a popular venue for University of Witwatersrand students)
??/09/86 Grenade thrown into crowded night club in Edenpark (Alberton)
03/01/87 Corner Jeppe/Delvers St, Johannesburg; limpet mine injures three civilians
05/02/87 Explosion at bus shelter outside Groote Schuur estate, Cape Town; one civilian slightly injured
??/02/87 Limpet mine causes damage to a shop in Matatiele (Transkei)
??/04/87 Bomb explodes in a shop in centre of Newcastle; no injuries
03/04/87 Car park of Came Arcade shopping centre: limpet mine injures three civilians
16/04/87 Parking area of Newcastle supermarket: explosion injures two civilians
05/05/87 Johannesburg Civic Centre: two mini-limpets explode, no injuries
19/05/87 Carlton Centre; explosion; no details
08/07/87 Bar of Village Main Hotel, Johannesburg: limpet mine explodes at 11h12; no details
28/09/87 Standard Bank arena, Johannesburg: two bombs explode, no injuries
??/04/88 Bomb explodes at Johannesburg City Hall; no injuries
19/04/88 - Explosion at private office block less than 100m from Parliament. Back entrance destroyed, branch of Santambank seriously damaged
25/05/88 Grenade attack on Sofasonke Party rally in Soweto; two killed, 38 injured.
Note: an ANC spokesperson blamed "armed political renegades" for carrying out attacks which were then blamed on the ANC, and denied knowledge of this attack.
26/05/88 Outside African Eagle Building, Pretoria: limpet mine injures four civilians.
Outside Ruth Arndt Early Learning Centre, Pretoria - limpet mine detonates during lunch hour (target may have been SADF offices, Proes St)
28/05/88 Explosive device at bottom of platform staircase at Johannesburg railway station: - one civilian injured
05/06/88 Bomb detonated while train was standing at Saulsville railway station
22/06/88 Amusement arcade in Winning Side Arcade, Johannesburg: limpet mine kills ten civilians
26/06/88 Papagallo Restaurant, East London: limpet mine discovered and defused
??/06/88 Bomb blast near Soweto's Inhlanzani station; no injuries
??/06/88 Mini-limpet mine explodes at Pretoria snack bar, injuring 18 people
09/07/88 Johannesburg Cambrians hockey club: limpet mine explodes outside; no details
29/07/88 Bus stop cnr. Victoria/Odendaal Streets, Germiston: limpet mine injures one civilian
30/07/88 Wimpy Bar, Benoni Plaza - limpet mine explodes at lunch hour; one civilian killed, 57 injured
??/07/88 Two explosions at a meeting of Sofasonke party; no injuries
05/08/88 Morula Sun Casino: limpet mine discovered and suppressed; minor damage
13/08/88 Hyde Park Shopping Centre: explosion injures three civilians
23/08/88 Wimpy Bar, Oxford St, East London: explosion at lunch hour injures 23 civilians
24/08/88 Limpet mine discovered outside Wimpy Bar, Standerton: limpet mine discovered; dragged into street and detonated; no details
??/08/88 Powerful explosion at a bus terminus used by black people; no injuries
??/09/88 Bomb explodes at discotheque in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, injuring 19 people
??/09/88 Limpet mine explosion at Vinderbijl Square bus terminus in Johannesburg injures 19 people
??/09/88 Hand grenade thrown at home of Allan Hendrickse, leader of the Labour Party, from a moving car
02/09/88 Outside a shop on the corner of Smith and Fenton Streets, Durban: limpet mine explodes at 17h30; two civilians injured
07/09/88 Basement of North Park Plaza Shopping Centre: explosion kills one civilian
08/09/88 Grenade thrown into the home of couple who did not join a strike (Mr and Mrs Modiko); child injured
21/09/88 Vanderbijlpark, Transvaal bus terminal: explosion after 17h00 injures 14 civilians
??/09/88 Bomb under a car in parking lot of East London hotel explodes after area cleared; no injuries
??/10/88 Limpet mine explodes at central Johannesburg bus terminus, injuring four people
??/10/88 Car bomb explosion outside a Witbank shopping centre; two killed, 42 injured
??/11/88 Explosion at Lenasia civic centre; no injuries
??/11/88 Explosion damages section of railway line on outskirts of Durban; no injuries
??/12/88 Two explosions in Bisho, Eastern Cape - results in damage to garage and shop; one minor injury
??/12/88 Five people, one an SAP member, killed in Soweto; police said an AK 47 was used indicating that the ANC was responsible
??/02/88 12 civilians injured in a blast at Wits Medical Command administration building in Braamfontein. The head of SAP public relations (Brig. Herman Stadler) claims that the ANC was responsible and had carried out the attack for propaganda purposes; this was proved by the fact that newspapers had received an early tip-off, he said.
??/07/89 Bomb at JG Strijdom hospital; no details
??/10/89 Bomb explodes outside BP centre, Cape Town and at a Woodstock garage a few minutes later
??/11/89 Bombs at First National Bank ATM at Berlin railway station, King WIlliams Town, Eastern Cape