Project Coast: The Deadly Legacy of Apartheid
Hi Buddies! Rythem, here. Did you know that apartheid South Africa had a secret chemical and biological weapons program? It’s called Project Coast, and it’s a story that needs to be told. Don’t worry, This will be short enough.
Apartheid South Africa’s Secret Chemical and Biological Weapons Program; Project Coast
The apartheid government of South Africa was a repressive and racist regime that ruled the country from 1948 to 1994. In order to maintain its grip on power, the government used a variety of methods, including violence, intimidation, and censorship.
One of the most disturbing methods used by the apartheid government was its chemical and biological weapons (CBW) program, known as Project Coast. Project Coast was a top-secret program that was developed in the 1980s to develop and produce CBW agents that could be used to target political opponents, activists, and other perceived enemies of the state.
The program was headed by Dr. Wouter Basson, a cardiologist who was also the personal physician of South African Prime Minister P. W. Botha. Basson was a ruthless and ambitious man who was willing to do whatever it took to protect the apartheid regime.
Under Basson's leadership, Project Coast developed a wide range of CBW agents, including tear gas, nerve agents, and hallucinogens. The program also developed methods for delivering these agents, such as aerosol sprays and poisoned clothing.
Project Coast was shrouded in secrecy, and its existence was not publicly acknowledged until the early 1990s. The program was disbanded in 1995, after the end of apartheid.
However, the full extent of Project Coast's activities is still unknown. There is evidence that the program was used to target political opponents and activists, as well as to destabilize neighboring countries. For example, in 1989, a parcel containing anthrax was sent to the offices of the African National Congress (ANC) in London. The parcel was intercepted by British authorities, but it is believed that other parcels may have been delivered successfully.
The Project Coast program is a reminder of the dangers of chemical and biological weapons. It is also a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in government. The apartheid government's use of CBW agents was a gross violation of human rights, and it should never be forgotten.
