Editing Bophuthatswana (section)

===Crisis of 1994===

{{main|1994 Bophuthatswana crisis}}

In the beginning of 1994 with South Africa heading for democratic elections, President [[Lucas Mangope]] resisted the elections taking place in Bophuthatswana and opposed reincorporation of the territory into South Africa. This resulted in increasing unrest and 40 people were wounded when Bophuthatswana Defence Force troops opened fire on striking [[civil servant]]s. Mangope took an increasingly hardline stance, rejected [[Independent Electoral Commission (South Africa)|Independent Electoral Commission]] chairman Judge [[Johann Kriegler]]'s plea for [[Freedom (political)|free political activity]] in the territory,<ref>"40 wounded as Mangope's men open fire". ''Business Day''. 10 March 1994.</ref> and fired the staff of the [[Bop TV|Bophuthatswana Broadcasting Corporation]], closing down two television stations and three radio stations.

With unrest growing and rumors of ANC supporters massing at Bophuthatswana's borders, Mangope invited General [[Constand Viljoen]], head of the right-wing [[Afrikaner Volksfront]], to immediately assist in keeping the peace. The Afrikaners were hastily rallied and mobilised, including the white supremacist group [[Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging]] (AWB), which took the opportunity to move in and try to restore the apartheid status quo. Uniformed members of the AWB on an armed incursion to the Mmabatho/Mafikeng area shot at unarmed civilians blocking the road, injuring and killing many.<ref>
{{cite web |
url=http://www.doj.gov.za/trc/decisions/1999/ac990239.htm |
title=Amnesty Application – Ontlametse Bernstein Menyatsoe |
publisher=Truth and Reconciliation Commission |
access-date=15 August 2006 |
archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070214201237/http://www.doj.gov.za/trc/decisions/1999/ac990239.htm |
archive-date=14 February 2007 |
url-status=live }}
</ref>

They themselves were shot at by members of the [[Bophuthatswana Defence Force]] (BDF) and the Police and were forced to retreat. One member of the AWB travelling back in a blue Mercedes Benz shot at some people along the road, which was then followed by members of the [[Bophuthatswana Police]] opening fire at the car. The driver, [[Nicolaas Fourie]], and his two passengers promptly surrendered and were disarmed. After the media were allowed to photograph the badly injured prisoners, they were then executed at point-blank range by a Bophuthatswana policeman, [[Ontlametse Bernstein Menyatsoe|Ontlametse Bernstein Menyatswe]].<ref>{{cite web|
url=http://www.info.gov.za/speeches/1999/990806933a1001.htm|
title=Amnesty granted for killing of three AWB members in 1994|
publisher=Truth and Reconciliation Commission|
date=5 August 1999|
url-status=dead|
archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310201257/http://www.info.gov.za/speeches/1999/990806933a1001.htm|
archive-date=10 March 2007}}</ref> These killings effectively spelt the end of white right-wing military opposition to democratic reforms.

On 12 March 1994, Mangope was deposed as [[President of Bophuthatswana]] by the South African government and the [[Transitional Executive Council]]. [[South African Ambassador to Bophuthatswana]], Prof. [[Tjaart van der Walt (academic)|Tjaart van der Walt]], was then appointed as the territory's new administrator.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/chief-lucas-mangope-deposed-leader-bophuthatswana-dr-tjaart-van-der-walt-appointed-terri|title=Chief Lucas Mangope is deposed as leader of Bophuthatswana. Dr. Tjaart van der Walt is appointed as the territory's new adminis|date=12 March 2012|work=South African History Online|access-date=18 July 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718055156/https://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/chief-lucas-mangope-deposed-leader-bophuthatswana-dr-tjaart-van-der-walt-appointed-terri|archive-date=18 July 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/tec-decides-bophuthatswana%E2%80%99s-incorporation-following-major-unrest|title=The TEC decides on Bophuthatswana's incorporation following major unrest|date=9 March 2012|work=South African History Online|access-date=18 July 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718060828/http://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/tec-decides-bophuthatswana%E2%80%99s-incorporation-following-major-unrest|archive-date=18 July 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>