Vlakplaas
Encyclopedia
Vlakplaas is a farm 20km west of Pretoria
that served as the headquarters of the South African Police
counterinsurgency unit C10 (later called C1) working for the apartheid government in South Africa
. The C-designation of the counterinsurgency unit was its official name but the whole unit became known as Vlakplaas and was commanded by Eugene de Kock
.
Vlakplaas functioned as a paramilitary hit squad, capturing political opponents of the apartheid government and either "turning" (converting) or executing them. The Vlakplaas farm was usually the site of multiple executions of political opponents of the apartheid government.
In August 2007, it was announced by the South African Department of Science and Technology that the farm would serve a new purpose, as a centre for healing. The centre will conduct research into plants used in traditional medicine
, and promote collaboration between practitioners of western medicine
and traditional healers
.
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...
that served as the headquarters of the South African Police
South African Police
The South African Police was the country's police force until 1994. The SAP traced its origin to the Dutch Watch, a paramilitary organization formed by settlers in the Cape in 1655, initially to protect civilians against attack and later to maintain law and order...
counterinsurgency unit C10 (later called C1) working for the apartheid government in South Africa
History of South Africa in the apartheid era
Apartheid was a system of racial segregation enforced by the National Party governments of South Africa between 1948 and 1994, under which the rights of the majority 'non-white' inhabitants of South Africa were curtailed and white supremacy and Afrikaner minority rule was maintained...
. The C-designation of the counterinsurgency unit was its official name but the whole unit became known as Vlakplaas and was commanded by Eugene de Kock
Eugene de Kock
Eugene de Kock is a former colonel of the South African Police force during Apartheid in South Africa. Dubbed "Prime Evil" by the media, he was the commander of C1 unit of the South African Police counter-insurgency group, well known for kidnapping, torturing and murdering hundreds of...
.
Vlakplaas functioned as a paramilitary hit squad, capturing political opponents of the apartheid government and either "turning" (converting) or executing them. The Vlakplaas farm was usually the site of multiple executions of political opponents of the apartheid government.
In August 2007, it was announced by the South African Department of Science and Technology that the farm would serve a new purpose, as a centre for healing. The centre will conduct research into plants used in traditional medicine
Herbalism
Herbalism is a traditional medicinal or folk medicine practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts. Herbalism is also known as botanical medicine, medical herbalism, herbal medicine, herbology, herblore, and phytotherapy...
, and promote collaboration between practitioners of western medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
and traditional healers
Sangoma
A sangoma is a practitioner of herbal medicine, divination and counselling in traditional Nguni societies of Southern Africa .The philosophy is based on a belief in ancestral spirits...
.