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The Assassination of Ruth First

In August 1982 the anti-apartheid activist Ruth First was killed by a bomb delivered to her office, hidden in a parcel. A former political prisoner, she was living in exile in Mozambique.

Former anti-apartheid activist Alpheus Manghezi recalls the day in August 1982 when his colleague Ruth First was killed by a parcel bomb delivered to her office. Both Manghezi and First were living in exile in Mozambique. Manghezi describes how he visited the scene together with the Mozambican president, Samora Machel. The assassins were later identified as agents of the South African state.

(Image: Former South African president Nelson Mandela unveiling a plaque dedicated to Ruth First and Joe Slovo in London. Credit: Getty Images)

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10 minutes

Last on

Sat 18 Aug 2012 18:50GMT

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  • Fri 17 Aug 2012 08:50GMT
  • Fri 17 Aug 2012 15:50GMT
  • Sat 18 Aug 2012 02:50GMT
  • Sat 18 Aug 2012 18:50GMT

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