The South African Biological Weapons Program - Deadly Cultures: Biological Weapons Since 1945 - page 198

(ANC). Basson later denied this charge in court. 29 But Goosen understood
that he and his colleagues would be required to develop biological assassi-
nation weapons at RRL. 30
RRL was built in 1986 on a 70-hectare site bordering the Roodeplaat
dam, north of Pretoria. Basson later explained the need for the sophisti-
cated facilities: “The only existing sophisticated high grade isolation units
that worked with [biosafety level 4] biological material [in 1984] (e.g. the
National Institute for Virology at Rietfontein) were internationally super-
vised and therefore not suitable for sensitive military work.” 31 RRL was
carefully sited close enough to other agricultural research facilities to
avoid attracting attention 32 but just far enough away from these other or-
ganizations to prevent any accident or leakage from affecting them. A
temperate climate for the primates used during experiments was also
needed so that they would not require specialized housing. The actual
operating period of the purpose-built BW facility was extremely short:
the final buildings and laboratories were completed only in 1988, six
years before the privatization of the company and the end of any BW
work.
André Immelman was responsible for carrying out military contracts at
RRL. His reasons for joining were set out in an affidavit before the TRC in
1998:
I was interested because I had knowledge about substances that are used
in chemical and biological warfare from my toxicological background. I
realized the importance that these substances could have in the war situ-
ation that existed in the 1980s. I thought that with my knowledge I
could make a contribution towards the protection of the South African
population ...Asascientist the opportunity to do fulltime research in
my field would have been very fulfilling. I did not see this employment
opportunity as an order to research offensive weapons which would be
used against individuals or groups of people.” 33
Immelman was the single point of contact between the military and RRL.
He was told from the outset that the facility was a military front company,
but over time he became concerned about the legitimacy of what he was
doing. Basson reassured him, saying that he would not be involved if the
poisons he was making available were misused. 34
Toward the end of 1988 Basson introduced Immelman to three men.