Botha blamed for killings

AN OFFICIAL of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission yesterday indirectly blamed former President PW Botha for the killings of black activists during the apartheid era.

Mr Botha is on trial for ignoring a summons to appear before the Truth Commission, which is investigating human rights abuses during apartheid. But the trial - the first of a former South African head of state - has focused on Mr Botha's role as chairman of the State Security Council, which co-ordinated a security crackdown on black liberation groups.