David Pratt (South Africa)

Outraged by the Sharpeville massacre, Pratt tried to assassinate South African Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd, shooting him twice.

His neurologist, Dr Chesler, urged his sister to have a curator bonis (legal guardian) appointed for him because he could no longer manage his affairs properly.

"[3]On 9 April 1960, Pratt shot South African Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd twice, at point blank range, with a .22 pistol.

Verwoerd, who had been opening the Union Exposition in Milner Park, Johannesburg, was rushed to hospital, and within two months had made a complete recovery.

He appeared for a preliminary hearing in the Johannesburg Magistrates' Court on 20 and 21 July 1960, once it was clear that the Verwoerd's injuries were not fatal.

The court accepted the medical reports submitted to it by five psychiatrists, all of which confirmed that Pratt lacked legal capacity and could not be held criminally liable for having shot the prime minister.

[2] In his court hearing Pratt declared: "South Africa has to throw off the slimy snake apartheid which is gripping its throat.

Doubts still remain about the circumstances of Pratt's demise as many suicides during apartheid were later proven to be murders by the police or security forces.