LOOKING BACK

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES 50 YEARS AGO

An advance guard of more than 2 500 paratroops moved into Washington today as new outbreaks of looting and burning broke out in the American capital. The violence broke an uneasy calm since dawn when an overnight curfew was lifted for the day. The paratroops, flown to Andrews Air Force base just outside the city during the night, reinforced 4 000 bayonet-carrying troops and National Guardsmen deployed in ghetto areas after a night of arson and killing. Nineteen people have died in three cities in riots since the assassination of Negro leader Dr. Martin Luther King on Thursday. — April 7 1968

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES 25 YEARS AGO

After shooting him twice, Chris Hani’s killer calmly walked up to his slumped body and shot him twice again at point-blank range. This eyewitness account was given yesterday afternoon by Mrs Retha Harmse, 36, who saw the blond assassin park his car behind Mr Hani’s, get out, stand in front of the open car door, and fire the first two bullets. Mrs Harmse sat frozen in her car as she watched the man walk slowly up to Mr Hani’s body and, with both hands on the gun, pull the trigger again and again. “He calmly lifted the gun and, at almost point-blank range, pulled the trigger twice. I can still hear the shots ringing in my ears.” — April 11 1993