1994: Thokoza fracas, Ken Oosterbroek killed (The Bang Bang Club)

1994-04-18

The events of this day are part of 'The Bang Bang Club,' a 2011 film based on the book of the same name.

Transcript:
In South Africa, black and white political leaders reported progress today toward a deal that would avert an election boycott by the Zulu-based Inkatha party. But, once again, the campaign was dogged by violence. Peacekeeping troops were unable to stop a deadly gun battle between backers of Inkatha and the African National Congress. Correspondent Allen Pizzey reports.

They were supposed to be a neutral body for stability, but, today, the National Peacekeeping Force found itself under fire as the enemy. Battle between Zulus and so-called "township self-defense units" from the ANC caught them in a deadly crossfire. Among the nineteen victims were the press. Ken Oosterbroek, award-winning photographer from South Africa's leading newspaper, was killed. Two other photographers, one from Newsweek and another from Reuters, were wounded. Colleagues had to evacuate them under sniper fire. But, they may have been hit by shots from the peacekeeping force. The force has been deployed for only five days and this was their first time in action. Their training has been plagued by reports of drunkenness and insubordination. The army they replaced is scheduled to move back into the township tomorrow.

The only bright spot was news that, after high-level talks, the Zulu-based Inkatha party may yet find a way to take part in the elections, which, if it happens, could at least help scale down the violence. Allen Pizzey, CBS News, Johannesburg.

Places:
Thokoza (Tokoza) -26.340373,28.13899 - Khumalo Street (Kumalo Street)
South Africa
New York, NY
Johannesburg

Organisations:
CBS News
Inkatha
African National Congress
National Peacekeeping Force
ANC
Newsweek
Reuters

People:
Connie Chung
Allen Pizzey, CBS News
Ken Oosterbroek, award-winning photographer, South Africa's leading newspaper

Broadcasters:
CBS
Sky News

Programmes:
CBS Evening News

Links:
http://nurl.co.za/bangbangclub

Dates / times:
originally broadcast 1994-04-18 btw. 2330 and 2359 UTC
1994-04-18

Text:
South Africa
Violence
---
THOKOZA TOWNSHIP
---
Allen Pizzey
CBS NEWS

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Oosterbroek
• war
• photographer
• photojournalist

[radiodj1520]

I Believe This Was A Video Clip Of CBS News' CBS Evening News With Dan Rather And Connie Chung's Report On Thokoza Fracas, Ken Oosterbroek Killed (The Bang Bang Club) On Monday Evening, April 18, 1994.

[LuvRemyanJack]

The photographer they showed clutching his chest and being loaded into the transport is Greg Marinovich, a close friend of Oosterbroek's. The man with longish hair and glasses is Joao Silva, another friend of Marinovich's and Ken's. Although he survived, Marnovich suffered a collapsed lung along with other injuries. Years later, former peacekeeper Brian Mkhize, who was in Thokoza that day, admited that it was one of them who had accidently shot the photographers.