Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Michelle Gumede

Notorious apartheid police commander 'Prime Evil' testifies at South African hearing on killings

South Africa Apartheid Killings Inquiry - (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

One of South Africa's most notorious apartheid police commanders testified on Monday at an inquiry into the killing of four activists in 1985 as part of the country's renewed focus on atrocities committed by security forces during decades of forced racial segregation that went unpunished.

Eugene de Kock, dubbed “Prime Evil” for his role in killing anti-apartheid activists, denied involvement in the prominent case of the Cradock Four — but said police at the time had photos of around 6,000 anti-apartheid activists described as “known terrorists” who should be tracked and killed if an arrest was not possible.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.