Verwoerd Survives Two Bullets In Head

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29177, 11 April 1960, Page 15

Verwoerd Survives Two Bullets In Head

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

(Rec. 1030 JOHANNESBURG, April 10, African Prime Minister, Dr, Verwoerd, is reported to have “slept restiully in hospital last night after a would-be assassin wounded him while he was opening an exposition celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Act of Union. . , A medical bulletin said his general condition was satisfactory. Two bullets had entered his ear and the roof of his mouth, fracturing his upper and lower jaws.

Surgeons have not yet removed the bullets, which were fired at point-blank range. Police are holding David Pratt, aged 51, the owner of a sweet factory and a farm at Magaliesburg, 35 miles west of Johannesburg, where he breeds Friesland cattle. Mrs Verwoerd, who was with the Prime Minister when he was shot, spent the night resting in a private room at the hospital. The shooting was witnessed by thousands of people who turned out to hear the Prime Minister say in a speech that white South Africans would fight for their existence and survive in spite of the racial strife in the country.

The shooting was witnessed by thousands of people who turned out to hear the Prime Minister say in a speech that white South Africans would fight for their existence and survive in spite of the. racial strife in the country. American, South African, and British television and radio stands were set up for his speech at the show.

Special security precautions had been taken up for Dr. Verwoerd’s appearance at the exposition, which was held at the Milner Park showgrounds. Dr. Verwoerd had just returned from the arena where he had inspected the judging of cattle at the combined agricultural and industrial show. Dr. Verwoerd turned around as the man approached and the attacker whipped out a .32 Belgian pistol and fired at pointblank range, hitting the Prime Minister on the cheek. The attacker, his face contorted with rage, pointed the gun again at Dr. Verwoerd and fired. A small dark puncture was visible under Dr. Verwoerd’s right eye as he slumped forward. His head fell back and Mrs Verwoerd bent over to take his head in her arms.

. It was first believed that only one shot had hit him but the South African Radio announced later that a second shot pierced his cheek.

A security man fainted after the shot was fired and he saw what had happened. However, other members of the Prime Minister’s guard stepoed in to seize the gunman it the foot of the steps.

After Dr. Verwoerd fell back, dignitaries around him, including the Mayor of Johannesburg, Mr Alec Gorshel, stretched him out full-length on a row of seats. Blood was streaming from Dr. Verwoerd’s mouth and from wounds on the right side of his head.

Mrs Verwoerd, after comforting her husband, broke down and started crying when she realised what had happened. A doctor who was in the audience examined the Prime Minister briefly before ambulance men rushed him to the hospital Eye-witnesses said it appeared the would-be assassin ran down the steps to the platform with the revolver. People from seats in the grandstand crowded round Dr. Verwoerd and grabbed hold of the man who had shot him, Mrs Verword stood at her husband’s side, stunned.

The British United Press said the attacker was able to walk up to the Prime Minister because he had a committee membership badge in his lapel. He walked past police saying he had something urgent to show the Prime Minister.

At one point police and civilians in a wild melee punched the gunman and he appeared to have been badly beaten. He was heard to shout: “God help me." After being searched, the gunman was led away from the arena through a crowd of white people to the police station. An eye-witness said a policeman appealed to crowds mobbing a police car in which the man was being taken away to disperse. The car was absolutely beseiged by people, many of whom shouted insults to the alleged assailant. Shortly after Dr. Verwoerd was shot women were seen sobbing near the Presidential box. Everywhere crowds seemed to be stunned.

At the General Hospital, where the Prime Minister was taken, a crowd of about 30 white civilians gathered outside. They shouted abusively at reporters who arrived at the hospital and even threatened to manhandle some of them. There has been much criticism of the foreign press during the racial turmoil.