South Africa's former president PW Botha has been implicated in the killings of eight anti-apartheid activists, according to the country's Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

A group of one-time security policemen - who are seeking amnesty for carrying out the killings - have made allegations against Mr Botha to the Commission.

They will appear before the commission next week, but have already submitted sworn statements saying that the orders to kill a group of anti-apartheid activists had been approved by the former state president and his cabinet.

The eight activists were blown up in 1985 with grenades and limpet mines supplied by the security forces, according to the police officers.

They say that the operation, codenamed operation Zero Zero Hour, was intended to stem the tide of revolt and increasing politicisation of the black townships of the East Rand outside Johannesburg.

Former President Botha, who enforced apartheid with an iron fist from 1978 to 1989, has consistently claimed to have known nothing about atrocities carried out by his security forces - both inside and outside South Africa's borders.

He has also consistently refused to appear before the Truth Commission - which in its report last year held him accountable for gross violations of human rights - as he had facilitated a climate in which these violations could occur.

Last month the former president - who is now 83 - had a conviction for contempt of the Truth Commission set aside on a technicality, and he's unlikley to agree now to testify before it.