CAPE TOWN — 1993 · Major Tragedy
The Heidelberg Tavern Attack
On New Year's Eve, 31 December 1993, three gunmen entered the Heidelberg Tavern in Cape Town's Observatory suburb and opened fire on the crowd. Three university students and the owner of a neighbouring restaurant, who stepped out after hearing gunfire, were killed and seven people were injured. An unexploded bomb was found near the restaurant entrance. Members of the Azanian People's Liberation Army (APLA) carried out the attack. The three perpetrators were convicted in November 1994, but on 16 July 1998 the Truth and Reconciliation Commission accepted the attack as politically motivated and granted all three amnesty.
- Date
- 1993
- Place
- Observatory, Western Cape, South Africa, Cape Town, ZA
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- -33.9380, 18.4720 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 31 December 1993The Heidelberg Tavern was attacked by gunmen.
- November 1994Three APLA members were convicted.
- 16 July 1998The Truth and Reconciliation Commission granted the perpetrators amnesty.
Sources
- Wikipedia — Heidelberg Tavern massacre en.wikipedia.org ↗
- SAHO — Heidelberg massacre: a story of reconciliation sahistory.org.za ↗
- SABC TRC — Truth Commission report, vol. 2 sabctrc.saha.org.za ↗
- Wikipedia
- SAHO
- SABC Truth Commission Special Report
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.