William Ledwaba (16) was killed during a bomb attack on his home in Atteridgeville, Pretoria. In evidence furnished before the Amnesty Commission of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, policemen Eric Goosen, Jacques Hechter and Deon Gouws revealed that May Ledwaba (Squish) had been the target of the attack. The fourth applicant, Jan Hattingh Cronje had suffered a serious heart attack a few days before the hearing and was in hospital at the time.May Ledwaba was actively involved in the so-called Street Committees and "Kangaroo Courts" in Atteridgeville and the only "judge" who could impose an execution by means of the notorious necklace method. At the time of the incident he was an accused in a necklace murder trial, but out on bail. The police had evidence that May and other activists had been involved in an attack a few days previously on the home of a Black policeman who had earlier shot and killed an activist.Arriving at the house a "Mellow Yellow", which was a home-made device consisting of a tin container, approximately 10 inches high and 5 inches in diameter, fitted with steel roofing screws (to serve as shrapnel) and about 800 grams of pentolite, a commercial explosive, was hurled through the window. However, the room was not occupied by May, who indeed also lived there, but by Walter Ledwaba and Julian Selepe, both grandsons of Elizabeth Ledwaba, owner of the house. Walter was killed while Selepe lost a hand and suffered severe damage to his leg.The four accused were granted amnesty because the committee was satisfied that the act had been politically motivated and the applicants had made a full disclosure of all relevant facts pertaining to the incident.18 September, stated to the to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as the date of the incident by the policemen involved seems to be the correct date, and not 19 September as indicated by Coleman.
18 September 1986
Bomb meant for Kangaroo Court judge, May Ledwaba kills sleeping William Ledwaba
- Updated
- 30 Sep 2019

How we know this
- 01Coleman, M. (ed) (1998). A Crime Against Humanity: analysing the repression of the apartheid state, Johannesburg: Human Rights Committee.
- 02SAHO Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) [online] Available at: www.sahistory.org.za [Accessed on 18 September 2013]
Last updated · 30 Sep 2019
South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Bomb meant for Kangaroo Court judge, May Ledwaba kills sleeping William Ledwaba. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012662
South African History Online (2011) 'Bomb meant for Kangaroo Court judge, May Ledwaba kills sleeping William Ledwaba', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012662 (Accessed: 6 November 2026).
South African History Online, Bomb meant for Kangaroo Court judge, May Ledwaba kills sleeping William Ledwaba [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012662, (accessed 6 November 2026).
"Bomb meant for Kangaroo Court judge, May Ledwaba kills sleeping William Ledwaba." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012662. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.
South African History Online. "Bomb meant for Kangaroo Court judge, May Ledwaba kills sleeping William Ledwaba." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012662.
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