THE ASSASSINATION OF CHRIS HANI
STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT F W DE KLERK ON THE ASSASSINATION OF MR CHRIS HANI ON 10 APRIL 1993
I have learned with shock of the assassination of Mr Chris Hani.
The future of South Africa depends in a very real sense on our ability to resolve our political differences peacefully and in a spirit of toleration. Deeds such as the act this morning and other politically motivated murders place all South Africans in danger and undermine the work of people of goodwill from all political persuasions who are striving for a peaceful future for our country.
I wish to convey my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr Hani.
He and I were at opposite poles of the political debate but we were both prepared to resolve the problems of our country through the process of peaceful negotiations. He can no longer do so – but we who remain must rededicate ourselves to peaceful negotiations and to the creation of a society in which brutal acts such as this will no longer occur.
I call on all leaders to show maximum restraint in the face of this act and to exercise the strongest possible discipline over their followers . I likewise call on all South Africans to exercise restraint. The Government will take immediate steps to bring the guilty to justice and will continue to do whatever else may be necessary to protect our citizens, regardless of their political affiliation.
STATEMENT BY NELSON MANDELA ON THE ASSASSINATION OF CHRISR HANI, 10 APRIL 1993
“Tonight I am reaching out to every single South African, black and white, from the very depth of my being. A white man, full of prejudice and hate, came to our country and committed a deed so foul that our whole nation now teeters on the brink of disaster. A white woman, of Afrikaner origin, risked her life so that we may know, and bring to justice, the assassins…. Now is the time for all South Africans to stand together against those who, from any quarter, wish to destroy what Chris Hani gave his life for – the freedom of us all….”