6 go free in apartheid-era murder trial

Inkatha vs. ANC

Inkatha is the main black rival of the African National Congress, which was still outlawed when the bloodbath occurred. Prosecutors alleged the attack was aimed at an ANC member who was not at home at the time.

Malan and nine remaining defendants, accused of masterminding a covert divide-and-rule plan to arm Zulus for attacks on the ANC in the late 1980s, say they are innocent.

Judge says witnesses lied

In issuing the acquittals Thursday, Judge Jan Hugo charged that two key prosecution witnesses were liars. They are former intelligence officers for the all-white government who allegedly helped organize the killings and testified for the prosecution in hopes of winning immunity from prosecution.

Hugo said it was clear Inkatha paramilitary trainees had killed the 13 victims. But he said there was too much doubt about the true identity of the killers.

Witch hunt alleged

The acquittals of Malan and the others -- should that happen -- would be welcomed by supporters of the old government, who have called the trial a witch hunt. Those who suffered under apartheid say a not-guilty verdict for Malan would be a heavy setback to efforts to punish the crimes of the past.

Malan refuses to apply for amnesty to the "truth commission" where Archbishop Desmond Tutu is trying to heal the past, saying he has nothing for which to seek pardon.

During the trial Malan admitted to helping set up an Inkatha paramilitary force but said there was nothing sinister about it.