Infamous Assassinations: Profiles 1953 - 1995

Hendrik Verwoerd

Who was he? South African Prime Minister who pursued a vigorous apartheid policy.

When was he assassinated? September 6, 1966.

Where was he assassinated? House of Assembly, Cape Town.

Who did it? Dimitri Tsafendas, a mixed-race immigrant originally from Mozambique.

Why? Tsafendas undoubtedly resented apartheid and regarded Verwoerd as its living embodiment. But he also claimed that a worm living in his stomach had instructed him to kill Verwoerd.

What happened? Tsafendas got a job as a parliamentary messenger. He used his position to get close to Verwoerd, stabbing him as the Prime Minster entered the chamber for a parliamentary session.

What was the consequence? Tsafendas' actions didn't end apartheid. It would take the best part of three decades to establish majority rule in South Africa.