Rhodesia
Sir, — Mr Elderton should get his “facts" right about the Sharpeville massacre. The crowd was excitable and singing. No evidence suggests that it was hostile, in a riotous, aggressive mood,
and was stoning the police. Photographs taken before the massacre clearly show that it was unarmed and contained many women and children. Police as late as 1 p.m. were able to walk through the crowd to greet people, yet they failed to ask the crowd to disperse and why it was there. The eventual gunning can be explained by the white’s contempt for the African and their laager mentality. Firing lasted 40 seconds 705 rounds were fired, 69 Africans were killed and 180 wounded, and 155 bullets entered the back of the Africans. The dead and wounded were left where they fell, and were taunted by the police. (From an account by Ambrose Reeves). — Yours etc.,
G. DAVIDSON. March 12, 1976. [This correspondence is now closed.—Editor]
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Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34103, 16 March 1976, Page 16
Word Count
157Rhodesia Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34103, 16 March 1976, Page 16
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