Former South African superspy, Mr Craig Williamson, yesterday contradicted the man whom many observers believe was the linchpin in the security police war against the African National Congress in the 1980s, Gen Johann Coetzee.
The bearded and hefty Mr Williamson, who attended an expensive English language private school and won the confidence of left-wing student activists after being recruited into the ranks of security police, was testifying in support of his application for amnesty before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
Gen Coetzee (70) had earlier admitted to responsibility for the 1982 bombing of the ANC's London headquarters but adamantly denied that he orchestrated - or sanctioned - the assassination of Ruth First, wife of South African Communist Party leader, Joe Slovo, or the murder of Jeanette and Katryn Schoon, wife and daughter of Marius Schoon two years later.
After the slaying of his wife and daughter, Mr Schoon lived in exile in Ireland for a number of years until his return to South Africa.
Mr Williamson, now a successful businessman, admitted during an earlier session that he had arranged to have explosives placed in intercepted letters addressed to Ms First in Mozambique and Marius and Jeanette Schoon in Mozambique .
At yesterday's hearing, Mr Williamson told the TRC he was certain top officers, including by implication Gen Coetzee, knew of the letter bombs posted.
Gen Coetzee had testified that he would have charged the policemen concerned if he had known they were behind the bombs.
Mr Williamson, who attracted special hatred from anti-apartheid activists after his cover was blown, said: "I believed that everyone was aware of the way in which the war was being fought. My acts were not the only ones of that nature . . . I believe the entire top structure knew that the police were involved in the death of First and the Schoons."
While apologising for the death of innocent people - Katryn Schoon was aged six - Mr Williamson told the TRC that at the time he believed he was involved in a justifiable, if undeclared war, against the ANC and its communist allies. "I want to say I am sorry," he said. "What I did was wrong."
Mr Schoon, who is married to an Irish woman and who is opposing Mr Williamson's application for amnesty, dismissed Mr Williamson's apology as "crocodile tears".
Mr Williamson, aware that he might be extradited to Britain to face charges for the attack on the ANC's London headquarters, had sought assurances when he applied for amnesty. They were not given. A detective from Scotland Yard has been observing the TRC proceedings.
Seven people were killed in an ongoing political power struggle in a settlement attached to Durban, in South Africa's KwaZulu Natal province, radio reports said yesterday.