The theatre of violence : narratives of protagonists in the South African conflict

Exposing often overlooked aspects of state repression and political violence, this profound and deeply compassionate study documents the often contradictory and confusing stories of those who committed some of the most dreadful deeds during South Africa's apartheid era. In telling their stories, individuals on various sides of the apartheid divide, from the police force and intelligence officers to grassroots activists and members of township self-protection units, offer the first critical examination of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's amnesty process, show how media representations of protagonists inform public perceptions, and scrutinize international scholarly writings on the issue of political violence. Tracing political violence in South Africa from 1960 to 1994, these accounts show how an overarching theater of violence forced protagonists to compete with each other, almost spiralling South Africans into a political vortex that risked outright societal disintegration. "This study aims to reach into the complexities of political violence and to expand our understanding of the patterns of conflict that almost drew South Africans into a vortex of total disintegration during the apartheid era." "While many accounts have focused on the victims of state repression, this unique volume documents the often contradictory and confusing stories of those who acknowledge having committed some dreadful deeds. Individuals on various sides of the apartheid divide, from state security structures to the ANC, PAC and grassroots activists, tell their own stories." "The authors also offer the first critical examination of the TRC's amnesty process, show how media representations of perpetrators inform public perceptions, and scrutinise international scholarly reflection on the issue of political violence."--BOOK JACKET 1. After The Truth And Reconciliation Commission -- 2. Popular Representation Of Perpetrators -- 3. Wider Academic Understandings -- 4. Morals And Methods -- 5. Police Narratives -- 6. Intelligence Narratives -- 7. Liberation Movement Narratives -- 8. Narratives Of Township Conflicts -- 9. Analysis And Reflection -- 10. Conclusion. Don Foster, Paul Haupt, Marésa De Beer. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 345-355) And Index.