From: phjj@ruchem.ru.ac.za (Justin Jonas)
Subject: Ciskei Massacre
Reply-To: phjj@ruchem.ru.ac.za
Organization: Rhodes University, Grahamstown, SA
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 1992 19:28:31 GMT

I have just watched a SABC-TV news broadcast that propelled me back to the
"old SA", circa 1976.  The government (and its allies) are obviously trying
to temper the outrage felt by the majority of South Africans by loading the
news broadcasts from the state-run media centre with the most obvious
ANC-bashing propaganda.  Tonights news broadcast consisted of one biased
interview/quote/speech after another. 

The worst case, in my opinion, was a press conference where Oupa Gqozo
announced his response to the cold blooded killing of ANC supporters by his
defence force in Bisho: He has instigated what is effectively a judicial
inquiry into the activities of the ANC in the area.  He claims the the ANC
are responsible for widespread intimidation and violence in the area, and
that the local ANC officials channel the "millions" they get from the
international community into their own pockets.  In one of his more
interesting statements he accused the ANC of using foreign funds to get good
legal advice.  I can vouch for this.  My wife and many of our friends work
for community support, para-legal and legal aid organizations that are
active in the Ciskei and Border area.  These organizations are not sponsored
by the ANC, but obviously work with ANC (and government) structures.  Their
main concern is to help the mainly rural communities to obtain vital
resources, such as land, sanitation and water, and to facilitate the
formation of democratic structures within these communities.  Such efforts
obviously run foul of dictatorial despots like Gqozo, and perhaps even the 
Pretoria government.  In the course of their work the community support
organizations have compiled dossiers describing incidents of intimidation,
administrative irregularities, corruption and murder on the part of Gqozo's
ADM (and South African government) officials and security forces. Of course
these incidents are refered to legal and human rights organizations to
ensure these semi-destitute communities have at least some legal rights and
a semblance of human dignity.  All of the communities identify the ANC as a
constructive influence in the area. 

Perhaps I should emphasize here that I am not a member of the ANC (I have
a principle not to be a paid-up member of any political organization) and
have many difficulties with the "party line", but I do think that many
people are not aware of the importance and constructive nature of many
of the day-to-day activities of the organization.


I would also like to emphasize that the above are my own observations and
opinions, and in no way represent Rhodes University. 


Justin Jonas

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    Justin Jonas        Radio Astronomy Group,                      /V\
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