Paul Erasmus
Paul Erasmus was a South African Security Police officer who testified to the Goldstone Commission,[1] and later the Truth and Reconciliation Commission about police dirty tricks and violence during the apartheid era.[2] This testimony revealed the existence of a unit in the Security Police called STRATCOM that specialised in misinformation and propaganda against opponents of the regime.[3] Erasmus also testified on the police efforts to discredit Winnie Madikizela-Mandela by spreading false rumours about sexual affairs and drug use.[4][5]
Before joining STRATCOM, Erasmus had served in the counter-insurgency campaign in Namibia, as part of the Koevoet police unit.[6]
References
- ↑ David Goodman Reconciliation or Chaos? Mother Jones May/June 1999
- ↑ De Klerk linked to `dirty tricks' to sabotage ANC Washington Times Jul 10, 1995
- ↑ Press release by Paul Erasmus African National Congress, 09-09-97
- ↑ Suzanne Daley Winnie Mandela Discredited Herself, Police Official Says New York Times November 29, 1997
- ↑ Winnie Mandela defended by white former agents BBC News 24 November, 1997
- ↑ David Goodman and Paul Weinberg (2002) Fault Lines: Journeys Into the New South Africa University of California Press ISBN 0-520-23203-8 p93
External links
- Tuning Into the Enemy - BBC Radio
- Amnesty Hearing - Paul Erasmus 27 November 2000, Truth and reconciliation commission
- Proclamation by the President of the Republic of South Africa Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Committee on amnesty (Under section 20 of The Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act 1995), Regulation Gazette, No. 7311 No. R. 26, 2002. Government Gazette, Vol. 441, No. 23257, 28 March 2002. Section "XIV Paul Erasmus (identity number 5602145141006), in respect of -"