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.
17 August 1982
Ruth First is assassinated in Mozambique
- Updated
- 17 Aug 2022
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
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: 22 October 2026).
South African History Online, Ruth First is assassinated in Mozambique [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012494, (accessed 22 October 2026).
"Ruth First is assassinated in Mozambique." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012494. Accessed 22 Oct. 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.
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