From: barnhart@ddsw1.MCS.COM (Mr. Aaron Barnhart)
Subject: IPS:SOUTH AFRICA: CRISIS OF ANC SOLDIERS LEFT OUT IN THE COLD
Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1992 16:40:23 GMT
Organization: Evanston, Illinois, U.S.A.

Copyright Inter Press Service 1992, all rights reserved.  Permission to re-
print within 7 days of original date only with permission from 'newsdesk'.

Area: Europe, eastern
Title: SOUTH AFRICA: CRISIS OF ANC SOLDIERS LEFT OUT IN THE COLD


johannesburg, nov 13 (ips/philippa garson) -- the brewing
discontent of soldiers of the african national congress' armed
wing, umkhonto we sizwe (mk), is threatening to turn into an
all-out crisis for the anc.

chris hani, former chief of staff and national executive
member told ips that the problem of rebellious, disenchanted mk
soldiers returning from exile had the ''potential to explode''
in the absence of a speedy political solution.

it is not until an interim government of national unity is in
place that mk cadres will most likely be incorporated into a new
national army.

mk soldiers have returned from exile in neigbouring
countries under the ceasefire agreement to face a string of
hardships: economic recession, unemployment, hostile security
forces, the cold shoulder from many internal anc leaders
jealously guarding their positions in local structures and
little recognition for their efforts.

many have grown alienated and disillusioned, turning to
crime, drink and hijacking community-based self-defence units
for gangster activities.

others are being recruited by the police for alleged
hit-squad duties in return for money and housing. there are
reports that even the rival zulu inkatha freedom party have
payed cadres to train their own ''protection units''.

''it's important for all of us, particularly in the
leadership, to recognise the enormity of the problem'', said
hani.

research conducted by the independent board of inquiry into
informal repression shows that at least 34 mk soldiers have been
gunned down over the past two years and scores of others have
been harassed and assaulted. many cadres now live a nomadic life
to avoid being targetted.

a group of mk cadres living in the volatile vaal triangle
townships south of johannesburg, spoke to ips about their
greivances, drinking vast quantities of beer as they did so.
they expressed great anger at recent evidence on corruption in
the national co-ordinating committee on repatriation (nccr),
which came to light this week. (more/ips)


south africa: crisis (2)

the nccr is supposed to be dealing with mk's ajustment
problems and handing out monthly stipends over a six-month
period. thousands of rands have allegedly disappeared into the
hands of a few greedy administrators and most cadres have not
been paid in full, instead told there is no money left.

''we have been left in the lurch'', said one of the men known
by his nom de guerre ''vusi''. ''the anc can no longer support
us''.

''when we were told of the suspension of the armed struggle,
the general feeling was one of disenchantment'', commented
''dume''. ''but now they will tell you a different story. that
militancy has dwindled. we are all very disgruntled'', he said.

while many mk cadres have been absorbed into regional
structures, others complain that civilian leaders who rose to
prominence in the 1980s are clutching onto their positions,
leaving no space for the returnees.

they complain of being marginalised by ''civilians waiting in
the wings for power'' who are trying to defuse the militancy of
the anc as they move closer to a negotiated settlement with the
ruling national party.

after an mk conference in venda last year, cadres were called
on to help run the self-defence units (community-based
inititiatives which sprung up in response to escalating inkatha,
police and ''third force'' attacks. the cadres were also
instructed to help build the political strength of the anc.

but mk chief of staff siphiwe nyanda, explained that the anc
was broke and described the cadres growing frustration over
''their empty stomachs'', apparent neglect, and lack of
ammunition as reasons for lack of support of the self-defence
units.

''they may help in building barracks but they feel vulnerable
without the means to protect themselves'', said the military
chief.

the group of mk cadres from the vaal said they were reluctant
to get involved in the units beyond the level of consultation.
attacks orchestrated by undisciplined youths, they said, were
often badly planned and arbitrary, exposing them to the perils
of police crackdowns in this messy war of the 1990s, where
enemies are many and rules few.

the communities in the vaal townships were disappointed with
mk's hesitancy in the self-defence units. ''we were highly
revered when we returned'', said ''dume''. ''we were looked on
as their saviours, particularly in the light of inkatha and
security force attacks. but we couldn't just act impulsively. we
are being hunted every day.

''they now see us as cowardly, but we are political soldiers.
we follow orders. and the order of the day is loud and clear --
ceasefire''. expressing disappointment over the pace of the
political negotiations he added, ''we just want our future
participation in the army ensured. that is where we belong''.
(end/ips/pg/oa/92)
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