From: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel)
Subject: SOUTH AFRICA POLITICAL UPDATE  September 11, 1992
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: PACH
Date: Sat, 12 Sep 1992 01:08:05 GMT

/** reg.safrica: 201.0 **/
** Topic: SA Political Update September 11 **
** Written 12:35 pm  Sep 11, 1992 by sapp in cdp:reg.safrica **
From: Southern Africa Partnership Project <sapp>
Subject: SA Political Update September 11

SOUTH AFRICA POLITICAL UPDATE  September 11, 1992
 
by Chris Benner
Global Exchange/US SA Sister Community Project
PO Box 5328 
Johannesburg 2000 
(011) 834-1677  fax: 834-8385  Email:sapp@igc
 
I.  BISHO MASSACRE CREATES CRISIS IN COUNTRY'S FUTURE
 
     Monday's massacre of at least 24 people in Bisho in the
Ciskei has sharpened the conflict between the ANC and the govern-
ment and threatens any efforts to restart negotiations.   
Marches have been held throughout the country to protest the
killings, and both the government and the ANC's National Working
Committee have been meeting this week to decide how to respond. 
By week's end, there was agreement in principle to hold a high-
level bilateral meeting, with delegations headed by Nelson
Mandela and President De Klerk, to discuss the violence and chart
a way forward.  
 
     GOVERNMENT DENIES RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MASSACRE
 
     The South African government continues to blame the ANC for
the massacre, and refuses to accept any responsibility for the
killing.  This is despite international condemnation of the
attack, and widespread recognition that the South African govern-
ment effectively controls the Ciskei, as well as having a direct
line of command over the Ciskei Defense Forces, via Brigadier
Marius Oelschig, the commander of the Ciskei Defense Forces who
is seconded from the South African Defense Force (SADF).
 
     In an official response to the massacre, President De Klerk
severely criticized the ANC, accusing the organization of "fo-
menting instability, revolution and violence".  He condemned the
ANC for embarking on this mass action, and said it was clear that
communists had "taken the ANC in tow" and were deliberately
undermining constitutional negotiations.  Ciskei leader Brigadier
Oupa Gqozo has also blamed the ANC, and said that he would "do it
again".   He has given no answer as to why the troops were armed
with live ammunition, or why no warning shots were fired.  Ciskei
security forces continue to harass local activists in the Bisho
area--at least one person has been killed by police beatings
since the massacre.
 
     The ANC has reacted angrily to the massacre.  They point to
evidence that the massacre was premeditated and planned, includ-
ing the fact that troops were armed with live ammunition, and
they hold the South African government fully responsible for the
massacre.  
 
 
          LIFE AND DEATH STRUGGLE OVER HOMELANDS
 
     At the center of the conflict is a life and death struggle
over the homelands and their role in a future South Africa.  Most
of the homelands, particularly Ciskei, Bophuthatswana and
KwaZulu, have been strong allies of the government during negoti-
ations.  They are crucial allies for the government's plan to
create a Federal system in South Africa under a new constitution.
This plan would impede efforts of a new government at addressing
the legacy of apartheid and hinder it's abilities to redistribute
resources and restructure the country.  The government also sees
the homeland parties as important electoral allies in a future
election, with the hope that they could gain significant percent-
ages in various regions of the country.
 
     But the conditions in many of the homelands remain extremely
repressive.  In the Ciskei, Bophuthatswana and other areas, the
ANC is still effectively banned, with frequent detention of
leading organizers, harassment and killing of key leaders, and
repression of demonstrations and rallies.  It would be impossible
for the ANC to campaign effectively in a future election under
these conditions.  
 
     The march on Bisho was the first stage of an ANC campaign
aimed at creating free political activity in the homelands and
pressuring the government to accept a constituent assembly. 
Despite the tragedy in the Ciskei, the campaign continues. 
Several demonstrations were held this week in the Qwaqwa home-
land.  The next major confrontation is likely to be next weekend
when a march is scheduled for Bophuthatswana.  They have called
for similar marches in KwaZulu, as well as in right-wing con-
trolled towns in the northern Transvaal and Orange Free State. 
Gatsha Buthelezi has threatened to smash any march aimed at
Ulundi, the capital of KwaZulu, and the rigth-wing AWB has said
if the ANC goes ahead with plans to march in right-wing towns,
they would make Boipotong and Bisho look like child's play.
 
               HIGH-LEVEL SUMMIT LIKELY
 
     The next major step to resolve the conflict is likely to be
a high-level meeting between the ANC and the government, led by
Nelson Mandela and President De Klerk.  However, a great deal of
work remains to be done before such a summit could be productive. 
The government still sees the ANC's campaign of mass action and
their "violation" of the peace accord as primary causes of
violence and still hasn't responded to key ANC demands on politi-
cal prisoners and control of security forces.  he ANC has said it
is prepared to participate in the meeting, but that it must be
preceded by concrete steps on the governments part to address the
violence.  
 
 
OTHER NEWS
 
1.  UN MONITORS ARRIVE
 
     The first United Nations Peace Monitors arrived in South
Africa today.  The thirteen monitors, soon to be complemented by
37 more, will be deployed in conflict areas in the country to
monitor violence.  Their presence has been welcomed by all sides. 
South African Foreign Minister Pik Botha has also sent a letter
to UN Secretary General Boutros Ghali asking the United Nations
to send a special envoy to mediate among parties to end the
violence and help get negotiations back on track.  This repre-
sents a significant break from the government' previous position
of wanting no international 'interference', and only accepting UN
Monitors in an observer role.
 
2.  HEALTH WORKERS STRIKE IN ITS 14TH WEEK
 
     The health workers strike by members of the National Educa-
tion, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) entered its 14th
week with no resolution in site.  Negotiations are continuing
between NEHAWU, COSATU and the Transvaal Provincial Administra-
tion, but no agreements have been revealed yet.  Conditions at
hospitals throughout the reef continued to deteriorate.
 
3.  WINNIE MANDELA RESIGNS FROM POSTS AMIDST FURTHER ATTACKS
 
     Winnie Mandela has resigned all of her elected positions in
the ANC, as well as her membership in the ANC Women's League. 
This follows the publication in a number of Sunday papers last
week of a letter she allegedly wrote to Dali Mpofu, her colleague
in the Department of Social Welfare with whom she allegedly had
an on-going affair.  The letter also revealed misallocation of
funds with the ANC.
 
     In her statement, Mrs. Mandela did not discuss the validity
of the letter, but criticized the intensity and viciousness of
the attacks against her and through her, the ANC.  She remains a
firm member of the ANC.  
 
 
 
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