Ruth First is assassinated in Mozambique

Date: 17 Aug 1982
Updated: 17 Aug 2022

Ruth First, journalist, academic, anti-apartheid activist and member of the South African Communist Party, was brutally killed by a letter bomb in Maputo, Mozambique, sent by South African government agents. First had left South Africa for the second time with her husband, Joe Slovo, during the height of anti-apartheid campaigns. At the time of her death, First was a lecturer at the Eduardo Mondlane University. Her funeral in Maputo was attended by presidents, members of parliament and envoys from 34 countries. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) granted amnesty to Craig Williamson and Roger Raven, two men responsible for the death of Ruth First. Click here to read testimony by Craig Williamson and Roger Raven during the TRC hearing.

Search events by date

What happened on your birthday?

How we know this

01Wallis, F. (2000). Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar, Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau
02Verwey, E.J. (ed)(1995). New Dictionary of South African Biography, v.1, Pretoria: HSRC.

Last updated · 17 Aug 2022

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Ruth First is assassinated in Mozambique. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012494

South African History Online (2011) 'Ruth First is assassinated in Mozambique', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012494 (Accessed: 29 July 2026).

South African History Online, Ruth First is assassinated in Mozambique [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012494, (accessed 29 July 2026).

"Ruth First is assassinated in Mozambique." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012494. Accessed 29 July 2026.

South African History Online. "Ruth First is assassinated in Mozambique." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012494.