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Assassinations of political activists started in the early 1970s and carried on into the 1990s.

Activities of a third force were first referred to in 1990 when the term was used publicly by leaders of the ANC including Nelson Mandela. Since 1994, more evidence confirmed the existence of independent units and others in the SAP and SADF. The SA government denied third force activities. This was contradicted in the evidence at trials such as those of Eugene de Kock and Magnus Malan. Covert organisations included Vlakplaas, state-sponsored hit squads and dirty tricks organisations such as the Defence Forces Civil Co-operation Bureau (CCB) and Military Intelligences Directorate of Covert Collection. There was and a cross-pollination of staff between these organisations.

The material covers the trials of two men involved in the above activities. Eugene de Kock led a notorious death squad operating from Vlakplaas and Malan, as Defence Minister and political boss of the SA Defence Force and the CCB, was aware of the covert activities of both organs.

The IFP, led by Dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi, dominated black politics in KwaZulu Natal. There was conflict between the IFP and the ANC, at times fuelled by the authorities.

The right-wing in South Africa included political parties that participated in parliament, such as the Conservative Party and the Herstigte Nasionale Party and extra-parliamentary groups including the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB), Blanke Bevrydigingsbeweging (White Freedom Movement) and the Wit Wolwe (White Wolves). The material includes reports on the Afrikaner Broederbond that was rumoured to have excessive influence on the government. The Afrikaans speaking white population consisted of both conservative and liberal groups.

Vigilantism included the independent actions of groups with different agendas and opinions. Some was linked to third-force activities. Tensions were aggravated between groups to escalate black-on-black violence. This created divisions between liberation movements and members of communities and resulted in the deaths of political opponents. Vigilantism was also used by some traditional leaders who saw their authority being usurped. The establishment of official town councils was another catalyst and covert activities using vigilantes dealt with opposition. Vigilantism was often linked to right-wing, conservative groups and occurred in townships, villages and informal settlements across the country.