‘Prime Evil’ De Kock accuses NPA of failing to pursue apartheid-era crimes

By Simon Nare

Former apartheid-era police colonel Eugene de Kock says the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has never approached him for information on the murders of freedom fighters, despite his willingness to assist with investigations and prosecutions of apartheid-era crimes.

De Kock, who commanded the C10 counter-insurgency unit based at Vlakplaas, a farm west of Pretoria, said he was prepared to provide information about the squad’s operations and the senior officials who gave the orders, but the prosecuting authority failed to act.

He said this led him to suspect that there may have been an agreement at a higher level to cover up the crimes, leaving him to take the blame.

“I was never approached, never asked, no statement (taken). I volunteered to give evidence. I was not coerced by anybody from the legal teams in Pretoria,” De Kock testified.

“I was available 24/7. They could have come to take