# Eugene de Kock reveals apartheid chain of command

> Eugene de Kock says he knows apartheid security state’s chain of command but prosecutors never asked him.
- Title: Eugene de Kock reveals apartheid chain of command | Shortify
- Summary: Eugene de Kock says he knows apartheid security state’s chain of command but prosecutors never asked him. Eugene de Kock testified he could identify…
- Keywords: eugene de kock, vlakplaas, apartheid, trc, khampepe commission, security police, apartheid-era crimes, prosecution, chain of command, south african police, news, politics
- Source: Daily Maverick — https://dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-10-26-apartheid-chain-of-command-i-know-everything-eugene-de-kock-tells-trc-inquiry
- Author: Marianne Thamm
- Published: 2026-10-26T12:01:51+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: eugene de kock, vlakplaas, apartheid, trc, khampepe commission, security police, apartheid-era crimes, prosecution, chain of command, south african police, news, politics
## Eugene de Kock testifies
Eugene de Kock, former Vlakplaas commander, testified before the Khampepe Commission of Inquiry on 26 October 2026.
## De Kock’s role in apartheid security state
De Kock served 20 years in C-Max and was the central operations figure at Vlakplaas, a secret police headquarters.
## No one approached De Kock
Prosecutors never approached De Kock to provide names, times, and dates of those further up the chain of command.
## De Kock’s knowledge
De Kock claims he can identify where intelligence or target selection originated outside Vlakplaas and who executed orders.
## De Kock’s testimony
De Kock said no one served time in South African prison except him among those involved in apartheid-era atrocities.
## De Kock’s affidavit
De Kock, led by advocate Geoff Budlender, submitted an 18-page affidavit detailing his role in Vlakplaas operations.
## Vlakplaas operations
Vlakplaas operated as a death squad responsible for extra-judicial killings, kidnappings, interrogations, and bombings.
## De Kock’s knowledge of chain of command
De Kock named key figures including Colonel Johan Victor, Van Heerden, Dirk Coetzee, Jan Coetzee, and Colonel "Jac" Cronje.
## De Kock’s testimony on political involvement
De Kock testified political office-bearers were aware of and involved in state-sanctioned operations.
## De Kock’s testimony on prosecutions
De Kock said prosecutors never approached him despite his knowledge of the chain of command.
## De Kock’s knowledge of specific crimes
De Kock revealed he could identify who ordered the bombing of Cosatu House and Khotso House.
## De Kock’s testimony on head money
Vlakplaas paid head money ranging from R1,000 to R7,000 for arrests or weapon recoveries.
## De Kock’s testimony on Vlakplaas operations
Vlakplaas maintained photo albums of refugee applicants to identify operational targets.
## De Kock’s testimony on prosecutions
De Kock said prosecutors failed to prosecute generals despite his knowledge of the chain of command.
## De Kock’s conclusion
De Kock concluded the failure to prosecute high-ranking officials was driven by political decisions to shield those at the top.
## Key takeaway

Eugene de Kock testified he could identify apartheid security state’s chain of command but prosecutors never approached him.