Goldstone Commission confirms SADF complicity in violence

The Commission of Inquiry Regarding the Prevention of Public Violence and Intimidation (Goldstone Commission), with Mr Justice Richard Goldstone as chairman, released its findings of a "dirty tricks" campaign against the African National Congress (ANC). The Commission reported the finding of a secret operational centre run by Military Intelligence and seized plans to destabilise the ANC, apparently sanctioned by senior figures within the South African Defence Forces (SADF). Following this, President F.W. de Klerk dismissed twenty-three top army officers in December alleged to be involved in covert action aimed at undermining Black opposition groups and provoking violence. The Goldstone Commission was appointed by De Klerk on 24 October 1991 to investigate incidents of public violence and intimidation in South Africa prior to the 1994 general election. During the first year of its existence the Commission could find no evidence of third party involvement, but a breakthrough came in October 1992.