Journalists Killed in 1993 - Motive Confirmed: Calvin Thusago
| Publisher | Committee to Protect Journalists |
| Publication Date | January 1994 |
| Cite as | Committee to Protect Journalists, Journalists Killed in 1993 - Motive Confirmed: Calvin Thusago, January 1994, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4e64948fc.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)
April 23, 1993, in an area near Sharpeville, South Africa
Thusago, a reporter for the South African Broadcasting Corporation, was killed by a mob of youths while he returned from filming the desecration of black graves by right-wing extremists in Sharpeville. SABC cameraman Dudley Saunders was also seriously injured in the attack. The mob set upon Thusago and Saunders' vehicle as it traveled between Sharpeville and Sebokeng. Thusago got out of the car to try and reason with the crowd but was stabbed to death. Saunders managed to escape, although he sustained knife wounds in the hands, arms, and back. His left arm and hand were severed. The next day, members of the African National Congress Youth League turned over suspects in the killing to police.
| Medium: | Television |
| Job: | Broadcast Reporter |
| Beats Covered: | Human Rights |
| Gender: | Male |
| Local or Foreign: | Local |
| Freelance: | No |
| Type of Death: | Murder |
| Suspected Source of Fire: | Mob Violence |
| Impunity: | No |
| Taken Captive: | No |
| Tortured: | No |
| Threatened: | No |