Allow me the courtesy to preface this article with the compelling words of 18th century poet George Cooper: “One by one of death are tasting.”
These words came to mind when I heard of Adriaan Vlok’s demise. One who was ruthless in his quest to annihilate anyone who dared oppose the archaic, draconian laws of the racist regime, instilling fear among the overwhelming black and the not-so-white people who had no status whatsoever.
How can I forget Vlok, when Jackie Jackson, a WP sprinter, and I outran his charges from Woodstock police station one Friday evening, finding refuge in the tall grass of Wesley Training College in Durham Avenue, Salt River?
Unlike many who never got away and whose dear ones had to identify their mortal remains, many a story has never been told.
It was under Vlok’s watch that we joined Bishop Tutu’s surf walk on a “whites-only” beach, under the cry “All God’s beaches for all God’s children”.
He mobilised police vans, Casspirs, armoured cars, dogs and helicopters with loud hailers to prevent unarmed people from walking on a pristine beach fearing the white sands would turn black.
Vlok made headlines when he rocked up at Parliament to wash Frank Chikane’s feet – a man he sought to but failed to kill. A show of remorse? For gruesome deeds, atrocities too horrendous to repeat.
Vlok pleaded guilty as charged when he appeared before the TRC. To get a better understanding why Bishop Tutu was reduced to tears, born-frees should Google “TRC”.
The magnitude of the dynamics that govern the specifics of the revelations of the atrocities were anchored in evil.
Leon Wessels, Vlok’s deputy, portrayed him as the epitome of a friendly, pleasant individual. Makes you think, doesn’t it?
Is it enough that Vlok washed Chikane’s feet? Is it enough that Vlok said he was sorry? And the bombing of the headquarters of the SA Council of Churches?
As a child, I accidentally kicked in our neighbour’s window. Sure, my dad went to say how sorry he was. But was that enough? No. He had to replace the damaged window.
How is Vlok going to replace the lives lost? Acknowledging his horrendous crimes against humanity is not enough. Washing Chikane’s smelly feet is not enough.
In the 1960s, the book titled God’s Stepchildren by Sarah Millin was banned. Our social studies teacher Cyril Jacobs encouraged us to read it.
Indeed, we were treated as God’s stepchildren. How will we remember Vlok?
* Colin Jooste, Retired photojournalist.
** The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Media.
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