CAPE TOWN, 6 September 1966. Dr. Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd, Prime Minister of the Republic, was stabbed to death on the floor of the House of Assembly shortly after 2 p.m. today. He was 64.
Parliament had just gathered for the afternoon sitting. A parliamentary messenger, in the uniform worn by the House’s staff, walked toward the Prime Minister’s bench. Nothing about this drew attention, since messengers move through the chamber constantly. Witnesses say the man drew a knife and stabbed Dr. Verwoerd several times in the neck and chest before anyone could react.
Members of Parliament rushed forward. The attacker was overpowered in the chamber and taken into custody. Members attended to the Prime Minister where he lay, and he was rushed to Groote Schuur Hospital. He is reported to have been dead on arrival, or to have died almost immediately afterward.
The suspect is Dimitri Tsafendas, who we understand was taken on as a temporary parliamentary messenger only weeks ago. At this hour, no motive has been established. Authorities have made no official statement on why he did it, and the Chronicle will not speculate.
Dr. Verwoerd, born in Amsterdam, had led the government since 1958. In 1960 he survived an earlier attempt on his life, when he was shot at the Rand Easter Show.
The National Party caucus is expected to choose a successor. We will report further as verified information comes in.
