David Pratt (failed assassin)
David Pratt | |
|---|---|
Pratt c. 1961 | |
| Born | 1 October 1908 Croydon, London, England |
| Died | 1 October 1961 (aged 53) Bloemfontein, Orange Free State,[a] South Africa |
| Cause of death | Asphyxiation (ruled suicide) |
| Education | |
| Occupations |
|
| Known for | Attempted assassination of Hendrik Verwoerd |
| Political party | Liberal Party |
| Spouses |
|
| Children | 4 |
| Notes | |
a. ^ Now the Free State | |
David Beresford Pratt (1 October 1908 – 1 October 1961) was a British and South African businessman, farmer, and anti-apartheid activist. He was a wealthy liberal who was deeply upset over black poverty and racial segregation and spoke out against apartheid. Outraged by the Sharpeville massacre, Pratt tried to assassinate South African Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd, shooting him twice. Verwoerd survived, but was successfully assassinated six years later by Dimitri Tsafendas.