May 15, 2016
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) played a key role in the arrest of South African leader Nelson Mandela, which led to his trial and imprisonment for more than 27 years, said today local media.
According to an interview given by former agent Donald Rickard, who retired in 1978 and moved to Colorado, the CIA helped to locate Mandela because he was the “world’s most dangerous communist “, published The Sowetan newspaper.
In the interview, given by him shortly before his death on March 30 at age 88, Rickard said “We were on the brink here and he had to be stopped, which meant that Mandela had to be arrested”.
He also said that he did not regret having imprisoned Mandela.
According to historical data, Mandela was underground as a driver when he was arrested in 1962 on his way from Durban to Johannesburg.
After his arrest, Mandela was tried and sentenced to a life sentence, he stayed imprisoned for more than 27 years before his release and become the first black president of the post-apartheid time in South Africa and one of the most influential politicians in the world.
The Sunday Times described Rickard’s revelation as a bombshell that could foster a CIA revelation about its real relation with the apartheid regime.
Rickard was a young diplomat at the US consulate in the South African city of Durban at the time of Mandela’s arrest.
When he was asked in 2012 about his role in the arrest he told the Wall Street Journal that it was a lie, that there was no substance in that story, however, he changed his mind and put an end to an open secret.
http://www.prensa-latina.cu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4880731&Itemid=1
Source: Prensa Latina