Robert Smit (politician)
Encyclopedia
Robert Smit was a member of South Africa's National Party
, and was murdered together with his wife Jean-Cora in 1977. They were survived by their two children, who were staying at their Roper Street home in Pretoria
.
The Smits were shot several times and stabbed in their Springs, Transvaal
home on November 22, 1977. The words "RAU TEM" were spray-painted in red on the walls and kitchen cupboards. Dr. Smit was involved in a front company - SANTAM International - for the South African Government at the time. This was a company created to circumvent sanctions
with regard to the procurement of sensitive military and economic resources.
Many theories have been proferred regarding the reasons for the murders as well as the identity of the perpetrators. One was that he had become aware of a massive scam by South African politicians, to enrich themselves during his sojourn with the IMF (International Monetary Fund) the preceding year, and that he was about to "blow the whistle" on these people. However this was never confirmed and no arrests were ever made.
National Party (South Africa)
The National Party is a former political party in South Africa. Founded in 1914, it was the governing party of the country from 4 June 1948 until 9 May 1994. Members of the National Party were sometimes known as Nationalists or Nats. Its policies included apartheid, the establishment of a...
, and was murdered together with his wife Jean-Cora in 1977. They were survived by their two children, who were staying at their Roper Street home in Pretoria
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
.
The Smits were shot several times and stabbed in their Springs, Transvaal
Springs, Gauteng
Springs is a city on the East Rand in the Gauteng province of South Africa.It lies 50 km east of Johannesburg. The name of the city derives from the large number of springs in the area; it has a population of more than 200,000, and is situated at 5,340 ft a.s.l...
home on November 22, 1977. The words "RAU TEM" were spray-painted in red on the walls and kitchen cupboards. Dr. Smit was involved in a front company - SANTAM International - for the South African Government at the time. This was a company created to circumvent sanctions
United Nations Security Council Resolution 282
United Nations Security Council Resolution 282, adopted on July 23, 1970, concerned by violations of the arms embargo passed against South Africa in resolution 191, the Council reiterated its total opposition to the policies of apartheid and reaffirmed its previous resolutions on the topic...
with regard to the procurement of sensitive military and economic resources.
Many theories have been proferred regarding the reasons for the murders as well as the identity of the perpetrators. One was that he had become aware of a massive scam by South African politicians, to enrich themselves during his sojourn with the IMF (International Monetary Fund) the preceding year, and that he was about to "blow the whistle" on these people. However this was never confirmed and no arrests were ever made.