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JPRS-SSA-87-034

14 APRIL 1987

Sub-Saharan Africa Report

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JPRS-SSA-87-034

14 APRIL 1987

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA REPORT

CONTENTS

ANGOLA

Uige Official on Success of Clemency Policy

(Luanda Domestic Service, 7 Mar 87) .

GHANA

Briefs

DPRK Minister Visits 3

12 Religious Groups Recognized 3

Clemency in Cuanza Sul Termed Successful 3

FAPLA Kills 8, Captures 2 4

50 Take Advantage of Clemency 4

Operations Against MPLA To Increase 4

Attack on Huambo Institute Thwarted 4

Rawlings on International Lenders, Productivity Incentives

(Jerry John Rawlings Interview; PEOPLE'S DAILY GRAPHIC,

5 Mar 87) 5

Foreign Minister on Neighboring Countries, International Issues

(Obed Asamoah Interview; AFRICAN CONCORD, 5 Feb 87) 8

Foreign Affairs Minister on ÖAI, UN Dues Defalters

(PEOPLE'S DAILY GRAPHIC, 3 Mar 87) ......... H

GDR Friendship Society Urges Soviet Proposal Consideration

(GHANAIAN TIMES, 7 Mar 87) 12

International Development Groups Support for Electrification

(Nana Abiman; AFRICAN CONCORD, 5 Feb 87) 13

Tsikata on Government Aims, Foreign Relations

(Kojo Tsikata Interview; AFRICAN CONCORD, 5 Feb 87) 15

- a -
PNDC Member Annan on Commitment to Peace, Third World

(PEOPLE'S DAILY GRAPHIC, 26 Feb 87) 17

PNDC Member Annan on Grassroots, Elections, Preparations

(Breda Atta-Quayson; PEOPLE'S DAILY GRAPHIC, 26 Feb 87) 18

PNDC Members Depart for Regions to Celebrate Independence

(PEOPLE'S DAILY GRAPHIC, 27 Feb 87) 19

Airport Security Tightened at Kotoka International

(GHANAIAN TIMES, 28 Feb 87) 20

CDR Assistant on District Elections, Educational Rallies

(Kate Hudson; PEOPLE'S DAILY GRAPHIC, 3 Mar 87) 21

Briefs

Committee Studies Private Mining 22

Police Watch Dog Committee 22

Militia Arrests 22

MADAGASCAR

Cooperation With USSR Surveyed

(MADAGASCAR MATIN, 21 Feb 87) - 24

Cooperation Agreement Signed With Tunisia

(MADAGASCAR MATIN, 21 Feb 87) 27

Food Shortages, Not Famine, Seen in South

(MADAGASCAR MATIN, 16 Feb 87) 28

Red Cross Mission Surveys Malnutrition

(J. Rabemanantsoa; MADAGASCAR MATIN, 25 Feb 87) 30

Briefs

Soviet-Malagasy Friendship Week 32

MAURITIUS

By-Elections Officially Set for July

(L'EXPRESS, 15 Feb 87) 33

Jugnauth Defends Actions Toward IMF

(L'EXPRESS, 19 Feb 87) 35

Jugnauth's Mistakes Listed by Berenger

(L'EXPRESS, 21 Feb 87) 37

MOZAMBIQUE

Document by Former Fighters Advocates Negotiations With Renamo

(AFRICA CONFIDENCIAL, 15 Feb 87) 39

- b -
NIGERIA

Unemployment Situation Viewed as Grave

(AFRICAN CONCORD, 5 Mar 87) 41

Labor Minister on Current Relief Activities,

Ike Nwachukwu Interview 41

Xabor Leader on Situation, Government Policy,

Lasisi Osunde Interview 43

Armed Forces Modernization Campaign Reviewed

(Obinna Anyadike; AFRICAN CONCORD, 26 Feb 87) 44

Western Naval Commander on Naval Affairs

(NEW NIGERIAN, 4 Mar 87; DAILY STAR, 5 Mar 87) 46

Nyako Defends Military, Naval Spending 46

Nyako on Naval Training Plans, Exercises 47

Despite High Demand Coal Production Declines

(Stephen Agwudagwu; NEWSWATCH, 23 Feb 87) • 48

Application for New Banking Establishments Soar

(Stephen Agwudagwu; NEWSWATCH, 2 Mar 87) 50

SIERRA LEONE

Momoh Launches Green Revolution Agricultural Fund

(DAILY MAIL, 10 Feb 87) 52

Momoh Addresses APC on Economic Ills.

(DAILY MAIL, 5 Mar 87) 54

Businessmen, Black Marketeers Blamed for Poor Taste 54

Paper Calls for Action Against 'Exploiters' 55

Jalloh To Head New Economic Intelligence Unit

(SUNDAY WE YONE, 22 Feb 87) 57

Finance Minister Presents Midterm Budget

(Sheka Kanu; SUNDAY WE YONE, 22 Feb 87) 59

Oil Dealers Support Government Fuel Rationing Plan

(THE NEW CITIZEN, 4 Mar 87) 65

Managing Director of National Diamond Mining Company Sacked

(DAILY MAIL, 5 Mar 87) 66

Jamil Resigns From Airlines Vice Chairmanship

(SUNDAY WE YONE, 22 Feb 87) ..*.. 67

- c -
Briefs

New Superior Court Appointments 68

TOGO

Government To Invest in Phosphate Development Project

(Nnamdi Anyadike; AFRICAN CONCORD, 29 Jan 87) 69

ZIMBABWE

Outgoing British Military Adviser on ZNA Training in Mozambique

(THE STAR, 12 Mar 87) . 70

ZCTU President Discusses Newly Established Sanctions Fund

(Jeffrey Mutandare Interview; MOTO, No 52, (no date) .... 71

SOUTH AFRICA

AFRIKANER/GOVERNMENT

Government To Cut Subsidies for Scientific Councils

(Gerald Reilly; BUSINESS DAY, 19 Mar 87) 75

Head of Broederbond Urges Diversity as Common Ground

(Pieter de Lange Interview; THE STAR, 25 Feb 87) .... 76

Briefs

Central Government Pay Increases 78

BLACKS

Increasing State Repression Against People's Courts Seen

(Glenn Moss; WORK IN PROGRESS, Feb 87) 79

Daily Tours Soweto Schools, Sees Optimism

(Sipho Ngcobo; BUSINESS DAY, 12 Mar 87) 84

Tribe Attempts To Reclaim Gold-Rich Ancestral Lands

(Mono Badela; THE WEEKLY MAIL, 13-19 Mar 87) 85

Middle Income Blacks Most Affected by Unrest

(BUSINESS DAY, 20 Mar 87) . 87

Briefs

600 Sats Workers Leave Union 88

SOCIOPOLITICAL/OTHER

Correspondent Looks at Government's/Counterrevolutionary Strategy

(David Braun; THE STAR, various dates) 89

' - d - '
Black Sash Conference Focuses on Three New Faces of Apartheid

(THE WEEKLY MAIL, 20-26 Mar 87) 95

Municipal Police, by Ruth Becker 95

Influx Control, by Jo-Ann Bekker 96

Removals, by Ruth Bekker 97

CBD Chairman Criticizes Plans To Convert Black Townships

(Nigel Mandy; THE STAR, 27 Feb 87) 99

Stellenbosch Rejects Mixed Junior Council

(BUSINESS DAY, 2 Mar 87) 101

Experts Link Escalating Crime Rate To Politics

(Craig Kotze; THE STAR, 4 Mar 87) 102

Apartheid Bureaucracy Hinders Indian Job Seekers in OFS

(Boeti Eshak; SUNDAY TIMES, 8 Mar 87) 104

Plight of Indian Migrant Workers Noted

(Boeti Eshak; SUNDAY TIMES, 8 Mar 87) 105

Indians To Own Land in Vryheid

(Khalil Aniff; POSTNATAL, 11-14 Mar 87) 106

ECONOMIC

Lesotho Water Plan Delay Could Mean Disaster for PWV

(Mick Collins; BUSINESS DAY, 20 Mar 87) 107

Negative Consequences of Mini-Bus Taxi Boom Noted

(Chris Cairncross; BUSINESS DAY, 18 Mar 87) ... 108

Volkskas: Manufacturing Industry Most Important Economic Sector

(BUSINESS DAY, 18 Mar 87) 109

Speculation on New Gold Field in Potch Gap

(Peter Stacey; BUSINESS DAY, 18 Mar 87) 110

PRC Makes Trade Gesture

(Frank Jeans; THE STAR, 18 Mar 87) Ill

Briefs

Number of Unemployed Indians Up 112

Rise in Exports From Richards Bay 112

PGA Borehole Strikes Bird Reef 112

Builders Fund Gets Boost 112

Lisbon Trade Mission Arrives 113

Kodak Confirms Sales to SAD 113

Masonite To Stay 113

- e
INDUSTRIAL/S&T

Oil Executive Defends Mossel Bay Output Projections

(SAPA, 5 Mar 87) . 115

Porous Plugs Porduced Locally

(SOUTH AFRICAN DIGEST, 13 Mar 87) 117

Grootegeiuk Mine To Expand Coal Preparation Plant

(Peter Stacey; BUSINESS DAY, 17 Mar 87) 118

/7310

- f -
ANGOLA

UIGE OFFICIAL ON SUCCESS OF CLEMENCY POLICY

MB071200 Luanda Domestic Service in Portuguese 1200 GMT 7 Mar 87

[Excerpts] Since 1984, Comrade Jacinto Garcia, Uige provincial commission

coordinator, has dealt with Angolan citizens who present themselves to local

authorities within the framework of our policy of clemency. This official,

who is also a member of the executive commission of the party provincial

committee in Uige, was interviewed, not only in his capacity as Uige

provincial commission coordinator but also because he is one of officials who

for long time has been engaged in reintegrating citizens who return to the

fatherland wishing to contribute toward the country's national reconstruction.

[Begin Garcia recording] Within the framework of the policy of clemency

decreed by our late president in Cabinda in 1978, here in Uige Province since

1984, we have carried out work which in practical terms is aimed at realizing

the guidelines drawn up by our supreme leadership for national harmony. We

can divide the work we have carried out into two phases. The first phase is

one which we consider to be the reintegration of elements who belonged to

ex-comira [Military Committee of the Resistance in Angola], while the second

phase deals with those who belonged to Angolan National Liberation Front

[FNLA], be they inside or outside the country.

With regard to work in the first phase, which is today characterized by

meeting the needs of the popular masses, we can consider it quite positive if

we take into account the engagement of both the military and civilians who

have been reintegrated and are today actively participating in national

reconstruction. At the military level, comrades have been able to follow, at

some very important functions and through speeches by supreme leaders of our

party and government, the positive results of the engagement of these

elements, particularly in defense tasks. At the civilian level in 1985, in

addition to reintegrating a number of elements [words indistinct], six were

made communal commissars. To be more precise two were made political

commissars and four assistant political commissars. After 2 years, we

consider the work carried out by these elements, the work carried out by those

who joined enterprises and those who became communal commissars, teachers, and

nurses, to be quite positive. There are about 17 nurses and 110 teachers. I

think that most comrades are aware that at the military level, apart from

soldiers, noncommissioned officers, and so on, three comrades were promoted to

the rank of senior officers. Some of these comrades are already occupying
posts of prominence in the leadership of our armed forces. There are also

other commissioned—captains, first lieutenants and second lieutenants.

With regard to the second phase, which we consider to be the reintegration of

elements who belonged to defunct FNLA, since 1985 we have carried out similar

work particularly in the municipalities of Quitexe, Songo, Ambuila, and

Mucuba. These elements began to present themselves in large numbers in

September 1986 and to date, about 4,000 elements have handed themselves to our

authorities, [end recording]

/9599

CSO: 3400/321
ANGOLA

BRIEFS

DPRK MINISTER VISITS—A verbal message from DPRK President Kim Il-song will

soon be relayed to Comrade Jose Eduardo dos Santos, president of the republic,

by Korean Minister of Communications Kim Yong-chae, who is in Luanda for talks

with Angolan authorities on bilateral relations. Speaking to local media on

his arrival the day before yesterday for a 1-week visit, Kim Yong-chae

stressed friendship and solidarity between Angola and the DPRK. He said that,

although separated geographically, both countries are united in the same

struggle against imperialism, colonialism, and racism. He also expressed his

admiration for the struggle waged by the Angolan people in defense of their

revolution, as well as in building socialism in the face of systematic

aggression by the South African Army. The Korean official is scheduled to

meet with Angolan Minister of External Relations Afonso van Dunem, Minister of

Transport and Communications Bernardo de Sousa, and Secretary of State for

Physical Education and Sports Rui Mingas. [Text] [Luanda Domestic Service

in Portuguese 0500 GMT 28 Feb 87] /9599

12 RELIGIOUS GROUPS RECOGNIZED—Twelve churches and religious organizations

have been legally recognized by the Ministry of Justice, which ordered them to

register at the central registry. The decree, approved by the minister of

justice, Franca van Dunem, says that the religious bodies affected by this law

in Angola are the Congregational Evangelical Church of Angola, the Catholic

Church, the United Reformed Church, and the Evangelical Church of Angola. The

following bodies were also legalized: the Baptist Evangelical Church of

Angola, Reformed Evangelical Church of Angola, the Jesus Christ of Earth

[Ebanguista] Church, the Pentacostal Assembly of God, the 7th Day Adventist

Church, the Baptist Convention of Angola, and the Union of the Evangelical

Churches of Angola. (?These) churches should register through a request sent

to the minister of justice duly stamped and (?signed) by their respective

representatives in Angola. It should be recalled that believers and

nonbelievers enjoy the same rights and are subject to the same obligations in

Angola so the nonobservance of any law because of religious objections is not

acceptable. [Text] [Luanda Domestic Service in Portuguese 1200 GMT 6 Mar 87]

/9599

CLEMENCY IN CUANZA SUL TERMED SUCCESSFUL—The clemency policy decreed by the

Angolan Government by the late President Antonio Agostinho Neto in Cabinda

Province in 1978 continues to be implemented nationwide. Apart from the

provinces of Uige, Cuanza Norte, Malanje, and Bie, Cuanza Sul is today another
part of the country where this policy is being faithfully implemented in order

to integrate elements who previously had borne arms against their own people.

Accordingly, it has been learned from a reliable source that four compatriots,

who lived in captivity in the bush for several months, recently handed

themselves over to Angolan authorities in Cuanza Sul. [Excerpt] [Luanda

Domestic Service in Portuguese 1200 GMT 18 Mar 87] /9599

FAPLA KILLS 8, CAPTURES 2~Eight UNITA bandits were killed and two others

captured during operations carried out by the FAPLA in the 3d military region,

recently. In these operations against the armed bandits in the pay of the

Pretoria racist regime, the glorious FAPLA seized war materiel, particularly

7 AKM weapons, 3 60-mm mortar shells, 2,500 rounds of ammunition, 21 AKM clips

and 4 RPG-7 shells. [Text] [Luanda Domestic Service in Portuguese 1900 GMT

18 Mar 87] /9599

50 TAKE ADVANTAGE OF CLEMENCY~The clemency policy decreed in 1978 by the late

President Agostinho Neto continues to score considerable success in the

development of the ongoing revolutionary process in Angola. Thus, 50 former

UPA-FNLA [Union of Angolan People's-Angolan National Liberation Front] and

UNITA elements presented themselves recently to the Angolan authorities in

Quitexe in Uige Province, for reintegration into the great Angolan family.

They said that they took this action because they had been mistreated and

because several appeals by the news media [break in transmission] of the

country and appealed, to all who have not yet surrendered to the Angolan

authorities to do so in order to participate in the reconstruction of their

own country. [Excerpt] [Luanda Domestic Service in Portuguese 0500 GMT

19 Mar 87] /9599

OPERATIONS AGAINST MPLA TO INCREASE—The leader of the UNITA movement in

Angola, Dr Jonas Savimbi, says UNITA intends to step up its operations against

the Marxist MPLA in Luanda to make it realize that a political and not a

military solution will lead to national reconciliation. In a broad-ranging

interview given at his headquarters at Jamba in southern Angola, Dr Savimbi

emphasized that UNITA has to face not only Angola Government forces but 45,000

Cubans, 2,000 East German, and 3,000 Portuguese communist backers of the MPLA

as well. He reiterated that no South Africans were fighting alongside UNITA

forces. Dr Savimbi said UNITA would have defeated the MPLA a long time ago if

it did not receive the support of foreign troops and advisers. [Text]

[Johannesburg International Service in English 1100 GMT 21 Mar 87] /9599

ATTACK ON HUAMBO INSTITUTE THWARTED—In Huambo Province the Angolan armed

forces recently thwarted another vandalistic action by the puppet gang in the

pay of racist South Africa. This time the target would have been the

Institute for Veterinary Research, but its destruction was prevented by the

people's vigilance. According to ANGOP, the criminal gang partially hit a

laboratory, a number of classrooms, and storeroom in that important

educational center which is about 10 km from Huambo City. Discovering that

their criminal intentions had been thwarted due to the FAPLA forces' prompt

action, the UNITA criminals fled. This action clearly reveals the savage

nature of this criminal gang, which is supported by international imperialism

to suppress the revolutionary process in our country. [Text] [Luanda

Domestic Service in Portuguese 1900 GMT 21 Mar 87] /9599

CSO: 3400/321
GHANA

RAWLINGS ON INTERNATIONAL LENDERS, PRODUCTIVITY INCENTIVES

Accra PEOPLE'S DAILY GRAPHIC in Enlgish 5 Mar 87 p 9

[Interview with Flt-Lt Jerry John Rawlings on 4 Mar 87; place not specified]

[Text]

; QUESTION: Sir, during the past five years,

the Revolution has lived

up to expectation by

way of unearthing the

ill-effects in the-overall

social spectrum.

Embezzlers have been

exposed, social misfits

such as armed robbers

and syndicated whitecollar thieves have been

prosecuted and official

bureaucratic structures

are being corrected.

But how much more,

in your estimation, is

left to be done to bring

about the desired or

near total clean diving

in our national life?

ANSWER: First of all,

let us be realistic. There

will always be some crooks,

there will always be some

people whose' moral sense

is either undeveloped or

damaged. ,

But we.are trying to

create a society in which

acts which have negative

effects upon, others —

whether on individuals or

the community as a whole

— are reduced to a bare

minimum.,

This is a task which

cannot be undertaken

within a specific time. It

must be an on-going task,

because any time it is

abandoned all the gains

which have been made can

easily be lost again. And it

is not a task for government alone, but for

everyone.

I believe that the moral

regeneration of our nation

must take place on three,

fronts.

First, all official structures, procedures and regulations should be modified

to give as little encouragement and opportunity as

possible to wrongdoers.

Secondly, the enforcement of sanctions on

wrongd- vs, whether by

the offk.,A agencies or by

society at Jarge, must be

made much more effective.

And thirdly, and most

important, society and the

individuals making up that

society, must define and

defend clear moral- standards for ourselves.

Let me enlarge on some

of these points. Taking

structures and procedures,

for example. The Operation Head Count Exercise,

combined with payment of -

salaries into bank accounts, has got rid of

thousands of "ghost" names and is making it more

and more difficult for em-,

bezzlers to divert funds

meant for salaries.

Whilst controls of this

kind are tightened, others

which invite corrupt

practices are being relaxed.

For example, the reduced

and simplified taxes and

duties on various imports

have removed some ofthe

complications which previously almost encouraged importers to look for

waysto cheat and dodge.If

the procedure issimple and

reasonable, most people

will willingly comply.

Apart from these structural ways of reducing corruption, we have the question of enforcement of

laws and ofsocietal norms.

I must frankly say that I

am still far from happy

with the performance of

the law-enforcement agencies, and the organs established to complement the

role of these agencies. ,

I must admit that some

members of the agencies

and the complementary

organs are doing quite

some good work. But some

are still clinging to the

past, and are perpetuating

the evil things that happened in the past.

The heads of the agencies and the organs are

currently putting in place;

structures and policies

' that will make it easier to

identify and flush out the

bad nuts. But as I already

said, it is people, our moral

attitudes, oursocial norms,

which matter most.

Ifsociety respects a man

for his wealth and position

without making any moral

judgement as to how he

acquired them, then no

amount of procedures or

policing will restore our

moral fibre.

If we do what is right

simply because we are

afraid of the consequences

if we are caught doing

wrong, tnen we will nqi get

far.

We must do what is right

because it is right. And

not just because someone

. tells us it is right. Our own

conscience, our own selfrespect and integrity

should determine our actions.

A clean conscience is far

more effective than a law

or a policeman in preventing wrongdoing. And when

a man ofintegrity fallsinto

wrongdoing, his own conscience exacts a heavier punishment than any judge

or tribunal:

QUESTION: It is held

in certain quarters that

changes in cabinet positions and other top hierarchy in national positions have been too frequent and many and

these havectended to

hold back instead of

advancing achievements due to lack of

continuity. Is this view

justified?

ANSWER: I don't

think it is. Remember that

these are people from all

walks of life — engineers,

scientists, teachers, soldiers, doctors, lawyers, writers. They are not professional politicians. They

-have answered the call to

gave service to their

country, often at consider-

' able cost to themselves and

their families, and I think

that their overall record —

in dedication, practical

achievements, and probity

— has been quite outstanding.

It is inevitable, in such a

situation, that there

should be reshuffles. It

may become evident, after

a period of time, that a

particular person can be
more effective in a different position where his or

he/ abilities are more appropriate.

It-may also become apparent that a particular

person cannot withstand

the pressures of such a position even though there

may be no doubt as to his

or her commitment. .

It seems to me to be far'

more realistic and useful to

admit these things and

take the necessary remedial action. To keep a person in a position when his

or her performance level is

running low in the name of

continuity does not make

sense. The continuity

should lie in our principles

and policies, not in the

, presence or absence of individuals. ,

QUESTION: Do you ascribe to this other viewthat the financial sup-'

. port Ghana has had

from the international

lending institutions has

influenced our revolutionary political goals

because of certain con-

• ditions they would want

to extract from us?

ANSWER: Absolutely

not! Our revolutionary

goals are constant. They

have not changed and will

. not change. What I think

you are really referring to

is the path towards those

goals.

We are not parlour

theoreticians. All. our actions have been on realism

and hard facts of our economic situation. Given the

resources at our disposal,

and the current interna--

tional economic atmosphere, we could not have

come all this way without

the financialsupport ofthe

World Bank, the International Monetary Fund,

and other countries. But

we have not swallowed,

hook, line and sinker'all

the prescriptions of the

multinational financial institutions.

Our policies have been

based on the need to give

the average Ghanaian a

respite, after years of gloom

and economic desperation.

Whilst securing funds

from international lending

institutions we have had to

impose economic discipline

on ourselves. The extent of

|that economic discipline is

apparently what some

tend to criticise. They

would rather, we had continued living in a world.pf

pretence. . Our measures must be

seen as an integral part of

the new wave of realism

putting-across geographical and ideological boun-,

daries the world over. The'

wave of realism has led. to

. major economic policy reviews in both the West and

the East, both in the North

and the South. Both the

USSR and China have had

to review some of their

fundamental economic policies. And so have France

and U.S.A.

We are -on a long journey. We could refuse any

help, and thereby compel

our people to crawl slowly

and more painfully along

the road to recovery. If we

want to speed up the process, and ride part of the

way in a bus, then we must

pav the fare.

QUESTION: Given the

present emphasis on

production and the

absence of an incentive

scheme to reward production adequately, .

how do you realistically '

consider other ways, of

inducing workers to

higher productivity?

ANSWER: I think incentives are necessary, and

that we must design more

ways of rewarding effort

and performance. Exhor-

• tations and calls to patriotic duty have their part to

play but.the worker who

consistently achieves

above-average results

must be recognised and

must benefit from his or

her efforts.

Workplaces must- set

targets and reward those

who exceed them. This will

promote positive emulation but it requires better

management and supervision. It - means reorganising the way most of

us work. It means basing

promotion on performance

and not just years ofservice, even where such service

has been mediocre.

QUESTION: Real independence seems far

away when one considers that the creative

energies of the people

seem to be smothered bj

a wave of slavish relig.

ious dogmas. What, in

your view, can be done

about this? n

, ANSWER: We have'to be

very careful'in distinguishing between those aspects

of religion which are a response to our recognition

of some power beyond the

self, and those which to

many people are .ah

. escape-route from those

aspects of life which they

want to forget rather than

change.

We are-a deeply religious

people. This can strengthen us in our efforts to establish true social justice and

a better society. But it can

also be. misused, diverting

attention from the injustices around us, and focusing

instead upon some kind of

mystical obscurantism

which betrays a lack of

understanding of the life

and works ofJesus Christ.

Certainly, I am very

disturbed by the number of

foreign-based and financed

"crusades" which are invading our country and

capturing gullible minds.

But you must be await'

that if we were to restrict

their activities, thenwould be a .hue and cry:

that the government is

curtailing religious

freedom! . •

Elsewhere, particularly

in East Africa, governments have been compelled to act decisively against

their pernicious influence.

What should be done?

For sure government is

marking the activities of

some of these religious

groupings and crusades,

especially those who are

mere fronts for business

deals and act against national security. . . Religious leaders who

ako appreciate the dangers

of the current situation

should stand uo boldly and

speak out. I know there are

many who complain privately about the present

trend.

QUESTION: A great

deal of transformation

seems to have gone on in

the Ghana Armed Forces since the 31st December Revolution.

What is clearly evident

is their integration into

the socio-economic development ofthe nation.

Do you see them playing

any other role in the

coming years?

ANSWER: The principal

function of the Armed

Forces is to defend the

country. They are ready

and able to perform that

primary duty, and their

standards of readiness and

discipline have greatly improved over the past five

years.

You are also correct in

saying that they have be- -

come integrated into the

^society by involving themselves in agriculture, .in

health services to the community, in road construction and other civil works.

At the moment, soldiers

are embarking on housing

schemes, usin^ their own

labour, so that on retirement they will be ante to

have a roof over their

Within the Armed Forces we have a wide range of

skills and expertise. So

that in addition to mantaining a high standard of

combat readiness, these

skills must also be directed

towards developing greater

self-reliance in providing

the Armed Forces' own needs, and towards contributing to the welfare of

society as a whole.

QUESTION: What role

do you see the revolutionary cadres playing

in the coming district

level elections?

ANSWER: Their greatest

level of involvement

should come, in my opinion, before the actual

elections* in ensuring the

awareness of the people of

their great responsibility

to select only the best from

among the candidates who

will emerge.

"The best" no-longer

means the wealthy businessman who lives in the

city and, only visits his hometown at Easter. It

means people of integrity

who live and work within

the community and who

have proved their commitment to its welfare by

their actions.

The revolutionary cadres must let their townsfolk understand that it is

only by electing such people that genuine and lasting development will come

to their areas.
The cadres will also

educate the public about

the modalitiesfor the elections, as soon as these are'

announced. And of course,

nothing prevents members

of the various revölutipnary organs from presenting themselves as prospective candidates if they fulfil the qualifications..

QUESTION: Finally Sir,

what is your vision of

Ghana by the end of the

next decade?

ANSWER: I cannot say

that I expect that by then

we will have reached all

our goals, because we. have

embarked on a long and

difficult process. But I am

confident that the nation

will-have advanced much

closer to those goals. How

far *we will have gone, however, depends on all of us.

It will depend on how far

we have transformed our

attitudes, the level of productivity, how far we have

liberated our minds^and

have developed our own

structures, institutions

and values. We have to

consolidate our political

independence.

/12828

CSO: 3400/327
GHANA

FOREIGN MINISTER ON NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES, INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

London AFRICAN CONCORD in English 5 Feb 87 pp 18-19

[Interview with Obed Asamoah, PNDC Secretary for Foreign Affairs, byMike Ogbeide in Accra; date not specified]

[Text]

Q. What are you doing to improve relations

with Togo?

A. When the Togolese incident occurred

we asked them to give us the details of

those involved so that we could take

action.

They never replied. They were more

interested in taking journalists from

Nigeria to make propaganda. If we found

that anyone had broken the law we would

have taken appropriate action. But the

only way to obtain the information was

through the Togolese. Since they refused,

what can we do?

There have been all kinds of efforts to

mediate in the issue. Ghana has not

rejected any of them. We would be

prepared at any time to meet the Togolese

to talk over these issues. We have done so

several times in the past, and we would do

it again.

Regarding the Olympio brothers —

there are few of them, only one is permanently resident in Ghana and that is Bonito

Olympio.

Before PNDC came to power, there was

some court action to determine his citizenship. The court declared Bonito Olympio a

citizen of Ghana. We did not influence the

decision.

But the Togolese want us to hand over

Bonito Olympio to them. You can do this

only by process of extradition. Until about

two years ago we did not have an extradition treaty with Togo.

Now we have extradition arrangements

between Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana.

We have been telling the Togolese that if

they have any case against Bonito Olympio

they know the procedure to adopt. Just to

grab them and hand them over is asking

too much.

I can tell you that we have not found any

evidence in Ghana that Olympio has

organised subversion against President

Gnassingbe Eyadema. There are people

who travel around a lot, and Ghana is not

the only place where they can plan these

things.

It is really unfair to use this Olympio

issue to accuse Ghana of subverting President Eyadema. Togo should be our natural

friends.

These political differences have made

things difficult.

I cannot say that our relations with Togo

are good. But I would like to say that we

on. our part are very anxious for good

relations with Togo. And when they do

show evidence of the need for peace and

brotherhood we would certainly respond.

They are saying, for example — with

regard to the September episode — that

Ghana had a hand in it. The truth of the

matter is that Togo has not provided any

evidence that the Ghanaian Government

as distinct from a certain individual has had

a hand in that attempted coup against

General Eyadema.

If you are familiar with the situation

along the border you will see that several

tribes have been divided — the same

element in Ghana who are in Togo especially along the southern parts.

Also, the same people are on both sides

of the border — and there are several

Ghanaians who can claim Togolese nationality and vice versa. So it is very easy to

arrest a Togolese in Togo for subversion

who will claim to be a Ghanaian. Nobody

questions the possibility that he may have

dual nationality.

In any case it depends on the tribal

affinity. The borders are really porous.

People cross all the time. Nobody pays

much attention to the political boundaries.
We have no interest in destabilising

President Eyadema. It is up to him to face

his own problems there. We have enough

problems of our own to take care of. But

for the Togolese, in order to get external

assistance it is important for them to

present a case of aggression from outside.

You want evidence? I can give you a

dossier on it showing the number of

attempts and those who have been involved and those based in Togo.

We should not allow this colonial heritage to play havoc with our economics and

politics. We should really remove these

borders and become one people.

political organisations like the CDR (Committee for Defence of the Revolution).

Fortunately the political forces in both

countries are similar, so it is easier and we

have a better understanding of each other's

positions.

We are also trying to find some common

organisation to deal with power and other

economic issues, and then progressively we

would work towards political union.

Both countries are quite keen on it. We

want a firmer union, not a paper union.

What we did announce is a declaration

of intent, and with regard to its implementation we are working out the details.

Q. What is Ghana's attitude towards UK visa

policy?

A. I think our relationship is fairly good.

Nations have disagreements all the time.

We issued a statement condemning the visa

review that was imposed on Ghana,

Nigeria and some other countries. We said

that the policy was discriminatory and that

the bases of the decisions were questionable.

It is not true that we have such large

numbers of people trying to enter Britain.

When you look at the percentage it is

really quite small. So we did protest against

the UK visa policy. There was a lot of cost

involved in people being returned. People

who went to Britain without visas were

detained at the Airport and deported.

Usually of course we pay.

Guarantee needed

So we asked the British government for

a guarantee that people who have visas and

business to transact would be allowed to

enter Britain. They could not give that

guarantee — and that is the basis on which

we made our protest. This is because if you

have a visa you can still be turned away at

the port of entry.

That is not to say therefore that our

relations with Britain are bad. We criticise

them for their South African policy, we

have so many other issues. We leärn to live

and let live. They also criticise some of our

policies. But we get on reasonably well.

Q. Could you explain the political benefit of

the proposed union between Ghana and

Burkina Faso?

A. We are doing on a smaller scale what

ECOWAS has been wanting to do. And

we are doing this within the framework of

the Ghana/Burkina Faso joint commission.

We will be having an extraordinary

meeting of that joint commission in February at which we will discuss further our

plans for political and economic unity. But

we are going about it very slowly.

On the political front we are seeking

some kind of co-ooeration between our

On Nkrumah

Q. What aspect of Dr Kwame Nkrumah is

the present government retaining?

A. I will deal with the idea of Nkrumah,

which we admire. First his African policy.

Unfortunately we don't have so many

resources or as much money as he had, so

we have not been able to make any kind of

contribution to African Liberation and

Unity as he did in his day.

But we believe in his African policy, we

believe in Dr Nkrumah's analysis of the

world situation.

The conditions are such that the smaller

countries are at a disadvantage — we are

really exploited. You get some crumbs

falling from the table of those foreign

countries. They have taken much from us.

The development of our country is our

own responsibility. These industiral countries take advantage of us if they can do so.

So we share Nkrumah's ideal with regard

to the evils of imperialism and neocolonialism.

In terms of internal development,

Nkrumah believed in an egalitarian

society, in which there is no exploitation.

We believe in the same ideal. There is so

much that we have in common with the late

Dr Nkrumah.

But I must Say that although Nkrumah's

policies were brilliant, there were many

faults iri his administration.

Nkrumah was a good tactician and

politician, but no wasn't ä good admin-'

strator and that is the aspect that we are

trying to correct. We want to establish an

internal adminstration system that really

functions efficiently arid without corruption.

Good policy can be ruined by a bad

administration. In all the years that

Nkrumah was iri power, agriculture was

corhpletely ignored. It is incredible. So that

by the time he left power we had to depend

so much on import.

For a. developing country like Ghana to

ignore agriculture is suicidal. Nkrurnah's

way to get along was to build heavy

industries. That for a smail country is not
okay. The policy was not helpful from that

point of view.

Nkrumah had a big problem of mainting

discipline within his administration. The

level of corruption ran wild. We are trying

to avoid that. And we are applying discipline to everybody no matter what they

are.

Q. How do you reconcile your revolution

with the taking of an IMF loan?

A. I don't think that Revolution means

lack of realism. You can't make a fetish out

of certain doctrines, and therefore close

your eyes to certain problems.

The truth of the matter is that when we

came to power we needed external (resources to resuscitate the economy). You have

to deal with those countries and traditions

which have the dollars. It is sheer commonsense.

We talk about an egalitarian society —

there must be some wealth to share. When

we took over we had nothing. Everything

had broken down. We are revolutionary

but we are also pragmatic.

When we talk about revolution we are

talking about a just and humane society.

The way to get there is a question of bread

and butter — and money.

Q. In Western countries does Revolution

mean anti-West?

A. Our revolution is for social justice,

nationally and internationally. We condemned the American involvement in

Nicaragua because we believe the US is

unjust for not giving the Nicaraguans the

opportunity to create their own social

conditions for themselves.

It is for the same reason that we criticise

the system of international trade. It is not a

revolution which says we are anti-Communist or anti-West or anti-American.

We will co-operate with the East when it

suits our interests and where commonsense

demands we will co-operate with the East.

This is not a Commnunist revolution.

Neither is it a kind of Western Revolution

where everything East is bad.

/12828

CSO: 3400/331.

10
GHANA

FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER ON OAI, UN DUES DEFALTERS

Accra PEOPLE'S DAILY GRAPHIC in English 3 Mar 87 p 1

[Text] GHANA has criticised

the negative attitude

. of certain African states to the OAU and

United Nations' initiated - sanctions

against apartheid

South Africa. >

Dr Obed Asamoah, Secretary for Foreign Affairs, said in Accra on

Sunday that, Ghana

, stated this position at the

just-ended budgetary

session of the OAU

Council of Ministers in

'Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The meeting opened

on Monday, February 23

and ended on Friday, February 27.

"As far as Ghana is

concerned the struggle in

South Africa is an aspect

I of our struggle for Ee»-

' nomic Independence", he

i told reporters on his arrival. .

Dr Asamoah said the

meeting considered the

annual report of the

OAULiberation Committee on the liberation

struggle, in South Africa

and Namibia.

On the financial position of the organisation,

Dr Asamoah said certain

member countries owe

the OAU $55 million.

This, he said, include

monies, meant for the

OAU Liberation Committee.

The OAU Liberation

Fund was established to

help National Liberation

Movements on the continent.

Dr Asamoah described

the failure of some

members to pay up their

dues as shameful and a

disgrace to the continent

since all the indebted

states are known to have

paid in full, their contributions to the United

Nations.

He said the meeting

appealed to defaulting

nations to pay up their

contributions to. salvage

the organisation from its

present difficulties.

/12828

CSO: 3400/328

11
GHANA

GDR FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY URGES SOVIET PROPOSAL CONSIDERATION

[Accra GHANAIAN TIMES in English 7 Mar 87 p 8]

[Text] rPHE Ghana-GDR Friendship

* Society has called on fh«

United States and its alli«f

to view with'the needed s»

riousness and realism, t.h*

new proposals put forward

by Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachov on the reduction- of

medium range missiles in

Europe in order to enhanct

the attainment of disarm»

ment and to avoid polemics.

A statement issued in Acer*

yesterday on the latest Soviet

proposal by the society said

the proposal offered a hist»

lie opportunity which should

not be let to glip by.

The society welcomed fne

statement by the party and

state leadership of the GDR

expressing their readiness, to

gether with the Soviet Union,

to bring about the withdrawal of all operative tactical

missiles now deployed on GDR

territory.

The Gorbachev proposal, it

said, was of great significance

and left no room for the Reagan Administration to hatch

any excuses to enable it to

continue with the deployment

of medium range missiles in

Europe,

The society noted that I fie

call on US by the Soviet Leader to urgently enter into

agreement on the abolition of

all medium range missiles from

Europe, would no doubt, attract the full support and ad-

/12828 miration of peace-loving peoCSO: 3400/328 ffi tSST "* *"

12
GHANA

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GROUPS SUPPORT FOR ELECTRIFICATION

London AFRICAN CONCORD in English 5 Feb 87 p 21

[Article by Nana Abiman]

[Text]

The Electricity Corporation of Ghana

has launched a multi-million dollar

three-year programme for the rehabilitation and improvement of the electricity

distribution network in the country. The

programme is being carried out under the

auspices of the Ghanaian Government and

the World Bank.

The first phase of the scheme, which

started in December 1986, involved the

laying of 150km of power cables for both

high tension and low voltage distribution,

replacement of obsolete cables and 100

overloaded and faulty transformers, and

installation of 150 new sub-stations.

Officials of the Electricity Corporation

of Ghana said that emphasis would be

placed on training and institutional reorganisation in collaboration with the Electricity Supply Board of Ireland.

The programme forms part of the Ghana

Government's policy of restructuring the

corporation to solve problems undermining the smooth operations of the nation's

power network. It will cost about US$65

million, funded by the World Bank and

other international donors, while the Ghana Government will meet local currency

costs.

Initially, the Electricity Corporation of

Ghana has been given US$26 million by

the International Development Association, a soft loan wing of the World Bank.

For some time, the Electricity Corporation of Ghana has suffered serious setbacks

in its responsibility to provide a reliable

supply of electricity to meet the country's

economic development needs. This has

been due partly to a chronic shortage of

foreign exchange, which has hit the

economy hard. This shortage has been a

hindrance to the import of spare parts and

equipment.

Observers say that unlike the Electricity

Corporation of Ghana's sister organisation, the Volta River Authority, which

generates power for distribution to neighbouring countries and earns foreign exchange, the domestic power supply company (ECG) has had to depend on the

Ghana Government for a meagre and

often erratic supply of foreign currency.

The Volta River Authority generates

enough foreign exchange to meet its power

generation maintenance programme and

various other related development

schemes.

The alarming exodus of qualified and

experienced Ghanaian personnel in the

first half of the '80s decade to neighbouring

African countries, Europe and even the

Americas also affected the staffing position

of the Electricity Corporation. Lack of

transport facilities, the bad economy and

flagging morale of the Corporation workers also took a toll on its performance.

The result has been inefficient services

punctuated by unannounced blackouts, a

poor billing system and exhorbitant

charges to the customers. These impose

hardships on customers and have eroded

public confidence in the Corporation. In

urban areas such as Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani and Takoradi, some consumers have

flatly refused to pay their bills because of

the poor service supplied by the Corporation.

"As a result of perennial blackouts, they

[the Corporation] ruined my business and

destroyed my refrigerators," claimed Mr

Paul Gambrah, a cold storage operator in

Accra. A top offical of the Corporation

said that the programme is meant not only

to inject efficiency and restore public

confidence in the system but also to

establish a more reliable power base required by the directly productive sectors of

the economy. The problems of blackouts,

13
low voltage and fluctuating supply in the

cities and industrial areas will be reduced

considerably on completion of the programme, said Mr Debrah Funn, past

Managing Director of the Corporation.

Meanwhile, in Accra, the authorities

have signed contracts with four firms for

the supply of equipment and vehicles to the

tune of US$6.3 million. The companies are

South Wales Transformers of Britain,

which will supply sub-station equipment;

Denge Engineering Service, a British company which will supply cable and overhead

lines equipment; Wichimen Corporation of

Japan and Selback of Britain, who will

supply 166 vehicles and spare parts.

In another development, seven international donors and the Volta River

Authority have agreed to contribute

US$101.5 million to support the Northern

Ghana electrification project. Mr Seug H

Choi, the World Bank Representative in

Ghana, said that the European Investment

Bank and the Commonwealth Development Corporation will give a total of

US$36.7 million, while the African Development Bank will provide US$39.83

million and the Saudi Fund US$4.5 million.

The Canadian International Development Association is providing US$7.5

million and the Japanese Export Import

Bank US$5 million. The International

Development Association, said Mr Choi,

will lend US$6.3 million and the Volta

River Authority US$3.2 million.

The programme forms part of the

Government's plan to extend electricity

power supply to the bulk of the population

in the northern part of the country.

Dubbed the "Northern Grid Project," it

begins in the first half of 1987, and involves

the extension of the national grid from

Kumasi in Ashanti Region through Techiman and Kintampo in Brong Ahafo Region to Bolgatanga in the Upper West

Region.

Sources at the African Development

Bank in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, said that the

project involves the construction of about

350km of 161 kV transmission lines, 65km

of 34 kV distribution lines and two 161/34

kV sub-stations. The Brong Ahafo Region

Electricity network and extension project

is expected to be completed before the end

of 1990. Consultancy services required in

northern Ghana have already been

selected, according to Bank sources in

Abidjan.

The object of this project is two-fold, to

reinforce the existing electricity network so

as to increase overall system reliability,

and to extend the system in order to

replace diesel stations and electrify new

areas in the northern parts of Ghana. Mr

Appiah Korang, Secretary (Minister) for

Fuel and Power, said the programme also

includes improvements of existing diesel

generating facilities, especially in the

Brong Ahafo, Northern, Upper East and

Upper West regions.

Two major plants

Ghana has two major hydro-electric

plants — at Akosombo.and Kpone, but

they serve only 25 per cent of the country's

12.2 million population in the southern

sector, while the majority still rely on

lamps. The lack of electricity in the

northern parts of the country has prevented many investors, notably foreign,

from siting industries in these areas. The

result is that about 90 per cent of light and

heavy industries are located in the

southern regions.

The Volta River Authority, meanwhile,

has already started experimenting with

tapping power from high voltage transmission lines of the Akosombo Grid to supply

villages and small farming communities

scattered along the routes of the lines. The

scheme, which is being implemented with

technical assistance from the University of

Rome, is supplying power on a trial basis

to the villages of Bronyi-bima, Atabadzi in

the Central Region, alongside the Cape

Coast-Takoradi high voltage line.

/12828

CSO; 3400/330

14
GHANA

TSIKATA ON GOVERMENT AIMS, FOREIGN RELATIONS

London AFRICAN CONCORD in English 5 Feb 87 p 20

[Report on an interview with Kojo Tsikata, special advisor to the PNDC

on National Security and Foreign Affairs, by Mike Ogbeide; date and place

not given]

[Text]

In the last five years Ghana under

Chairman Flt-Lt Jerry Rawlings has

been reviving a battered economy.

Ghana's problem, says Lt Gen A K Ocran

(Rtd), who was one of the architects of the

military coup that overthrew the government of the late Dr Kwame Nkrumah, is to

ascertain how best to accomplish her

economic and political objectives with

maximum independent action.

The main issue is how to move from a

country of vast but untapped and underutilised humand and material potential, and

lacking a scientific and technological base,

to one in which there is full development

and utilisation of all available human and

material resources which, backed by scientific and technological progress, will given

the maximum benefit to all.

To find out how Ghana, in its neardesperate situation five years ago, is gradually coming out of the wood we talked to

Capt Kojo Tsikata (Rtd), special adviser to

the PNDC on National Security and Foreign Affairs.

No pretences

An influential man in the Rawlings

Administration, he explained its aims and

objectives. According to him, Ghanaians

under the Rawlings regime are very

nationalistic.

"We are trying to build a mixed

economy" he said.

He emphasised the point that no

member of the Rawlings Administration is

pretending to build a socialist economy,

although there are people who call themselves socialists within the government.

Capt Tsikata said that the Ghana regime

had been against corruption since 1979.

"Corruption is one thing that is normally

associated with political power in Africa.

And we are very severe with ourselves,

especially the Chairman, who is very much

identified as the man trying to restore the

moral fibre of Ghanaian society.

We try to live by the code which we have

established for ourselves since 1979. And

we try to give a different style of leadership

to our people — different from what they

have been accustomed to in political days."

The rigorous manner in which Rawlings

and his men have tried to punish those

found to be corrupt has probably contributed towards eliminating the problem.

"Even though we have severe punishments I don't boast that we have completely eradicated corruption as recent events in

our country clearly show. But we try by our

style of leadership to encourage our people

to overcome all temptation connected with

corrupt practices."

But what is the attitude of Ghanaians

towards the Rawlings revolution?

A complex question, says Capt Tsikata.

"The priority is really in the economic

area. And that is the problem to which we

have to address ourselves. We cannot just

educate people politically in that kind of

15
abstract fashion. We have a decentralisation plan in which we make local people

take an interest in their own programmes.

Rawlings in his New Year broadcast said

that his government intends to provide this

year a decisive momentum for the programme of decentralisation. Although this

was announced earlier, it has been delayed

by lack of resources and poor organisation.

According to the Government this new

momentum will lead to nationwide district

level elections, and the creation of district

political authorities will be another step

towards grassroots participation in

decision-making.

Asked to comment on the debt problem,

Capt Tsikata said that Ghana was studying

the factors in order to decide the vexed

issue of payment of debts. He believed that

the matter should be approached globally

rather than by individual approach from

country to country.

On Nigeria

On the relationship between Nigeria and

Ghana, Capt Tsikata said that Nigerians

and Ghanaians see themselves as brothers.

The relationship was most cordial and

there was cooperation at every level.

But the possibility of exchange visits

between Flt-Lt Rawlings and Maj-Gen

Babangida was rather remote, as there are

no concrete plans.

"But at the ministerial level, there are

the normal contacts through regular visits

between our leaders."

Nigeria had expelled about 1.2 million

Ghanaians, which swelled the unemployment figures. This happened, says Dr

Kwesi Botchwey, PNDC secretary for

Finance and Economic Planning, at a time

when bush fires and drought destroyed

hectares of food crops and farm lands.

There was general depression in the

country and the foundations of the revolution were being threatened.

Ghana is and will continue to be saddled

for a long time to come with the heavy

burden of crude oil. Current production

provides for less than five per cent of

national consumption.

The food problem is a matter of serious

concern for the Government. In recent

years, Ghana has had to import large

quantities of food. The ripple effect of the

modest recovery in food output, although

subdued because it was largely devoured

by pent-up demand, spread to other sectors.

As Rawlings and his men celebrate the

fifth anniversary of the Revolution, looking ahead, the people of Ghana are

determined to persevere in attaining the

goals of the 1986-88 Economic Recovery

Programme and to embark on the liberalisation and growth phase that lies ahead.

Important steps in the right direction have

already been taken.

/12828

CSO: 3400/330

16
GHANA

PNDC MEMBER ANNAN ON COMMITMENT TO PEACE, THIRD WORLD

Accra PEOPLE'S DAILY GRAPHIC in English 26 Feb 87 p 9

[Text]

MB Justice D. F. Annan,

member of the PNDC,

h»s repeated Ghana's

commitment to end the

ntclear arms race because it poses a threat to

wf>rld peace.

Mr justice Annan was

biiefing newsmen after

belding a meeting behind

cfosed doors with the Soviet Ambassador at the

State House in Accra yesterday.

Justice Annan said he

teld the Soviet Ambassador,Mr V. Semenov that

Ghana and other developing nations share a com-

«Son interest in using a

(gteater proportion of the

world's resources to developing their economies.

"This cannot be attained when such resources are

used in manufacturing

ajms", he said.

Mr Justice Annan reiterated the government's

support for the Soviet

: Union's efforts at seeking

peace and hoped "the spirit

of Reykjavik will not die

out but spur on the super

"powers in their search for

peace.

Mr Semenov on his part,

stressed the Soviet Union's

commitment to peace and

said the Soviet- Union is

prepared to sacrifice its

super power status for the

' attainment of world peace.

He announced that a

high powered Soviet delegation led by the Minister

for Irrigation and Water

Resources and one Soviet

astronaut will attend

Ghana's 30th Independent

ce anniversary. — GNA

• Mr Justice D. P. Annan, PNDC member has

repeated the need for third

world countries to forster

closer links for the offecti-.

ve realisation of the

new world economic order,

reports Jane Quartey.

This co-operatfon, the"

PNDC member noted, has

become imperative due to

the unfavourable charact-"

er of the international economic scene.

Mr Annan said this

when the Indian High

Commissioner to Ghana,

MV Major Singh Malik,

called on him at his office

yesterday to discuss matters of mutual concern to

the two countries.

He said the third world

faces common problems

hence the need for the exchange of ideas for their

solution,

Mr Annan mentioned

India's role and leadership

in recent years in helping

to develop a better framework under the NonAligned Movement for the

developing countries.

Mr Justice Annan said

the PNDC is committed to

the improvement of living

conditions of Ghanaians,

especially in the rural

areas;

He said Ghana has a lot

to learn from the experience of India especially India's development on

small-scale industries.

On his part, Mr Malik

said India is keen to share

her experiences and achievements with her neighbours.

Mr Malik discussed with

the PNDC member on the

need to increase cooperation in agriculture,

• rural development, smallscale and cottage industries.

/12828

CSO: 3400/329

17
GHANA

PNDC MEMBER ANNAN ON GRASSROOTS, ELECTIONS, PREPARATIONS

Accra PEOPLE'S DAILY GRAPHIC in English 26 Feb 87 pp 1, 9

[Article by Breda Atta-Quayson]

[Text]

MR Justice D. F. Annan, PNDC member

and Chairman of the National Commission for Democracy (NCD), has said that

the PNDC's programme for grassroots

participation comprises "a democratic

package" which must be seen in its entiHe said this involves the choice of worthy

representatives of the people from the villages, towns and the districts for the forthcoming'district level elections. . Mr Justice Annan said in an interview on Tuesday

evening that the "democratic package also envisages the

coming togetheiof an entire district for instance by way

of a District Assembly of the components of the entire

district exercising power as a district political authority.

He said since there has not been district elections in the

country since 1978, the modalities have to be reviewed

and where necessary changed in accordance with the

December 31 Revolution's commitment to participatory

democracy. ,- ,. • n ' Mr Justice Annan said the modalities are currently

being worked out at both the NCD and government

C

These modalities will address the question of identification of those who are entitled to vote and to be voted

This, Mr Justice Annan said, raises the question of the

compilation of new Voters' Register.

He said: "thousands of Ghanaians have come of voting

age since the last exercise for identification and registration as voters". . ..

Mr Justice Annan said the NCD is currently on the

ground demarcating the number of district councils.

The zones and the units in the town and area councils

will also have to be demarcated, he added. .

Mr Justice Annan stated that the work of physical

demarcation would have to be completed before the

elections start. ,,•,.• u ,.„ He also said the modalities for the election such as

qualification, presentation, nomination and the actual

mode ofselection of representatives are also Being worked

out.

The PNDC member said "It is expected that all these

issues should be fully addressed to enable the modalities

to be presented by July 1,1987".

He made it clear that until those modalities have been

spelt out and all the various accompanying exercises

carried out satisfactorily no date could be fixed 'for the

district level elections.

He explained thatJuly 1 is not the date for the elections

as some people want to believe but is the deadline for the

government to come out with the modalities.

Mr Justice Annan said the important objective of the

whole exercise is to create a political machinery within

the districts which would assume responsibility for basic

socio-economic development.

MrJustice Annan linked

this with the government's

decentralisation policy

and said it is for this pur- •

pose that the PNDC will

launch the debate on the

direction of the national

economy to ensure that all

those who offer themselves

as representatives of the

people will have a clear

appreciation of the problems and constraints of

the economy "so that they

would be in a good position

to come up with programmes which are capable of

addressing these problems

and constraints at the local level within the context

of the macro-economic policy r»f the Economic Recovery'Programme II"

/12828

CSO: 3400/329

18
GHANA

PNDC MEMBERS DEPART FOR REGIONS TO CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE

Accra PEOPLE'S DAILY GRAPHIC in English 27 Feb 87 pp 1,4

[Text]

TWENTY-SIX officials, made up of

members of the PNDC

and Secretaries of State leave Accra today to

spend nine days with

the people in nine regions for the 30th anniversary celebrations

of Ghana's Independence.

The government

members are expected to

interact extensively with

the peoples in villages

and hamlets and not to

confine themselves to the

regional capitals.

This is the first time in

recent years that members of Government have

been assigned'this special

duty of going to interact

with the people throughout the celebrations.

The programme is also

meant to demonstrate in

practical terms the commitment of the PNDC to

its policy of grassroots

participation.

. A letter signed by LtCol(rtd) E. K. T.'Donkoh, Chief of Staff at the

PNDC Headquarters

i and copied to all PNDC

members, the Political

Counsellor and Secretaries ofState, outlined the

interinary for the programme.

Mr P. V: Obeng,

PNDC member and

Chairman of the Committee of Secretaries, Dr

Kofi Sam, Secretary for

Works and Housing and

Mr Yaw Akrasi-Sarpong,

a Secretary at the PNDC

Secretariat are to go to

the Upper West Region.

Mr Ebo Tawiah,

PNDC member, Mr Ato

Ahwoi, Secretary incharge of the National

Revenue Secretariat and

Dr Charles Boadu, Secretary at the PNDC Secretariat are for Upper

East Region. •

Mr Justice D. F. Annan, PNDC member and

chairman ofthe National

Commission for Democracy, Dr I. Adjei-Maafo,

Secretary at the PNDC

Secretariat and Dr E. G.

A. Don-Arthur, Chairman of the State Committee for Economic Cooperation are assigned to

the Northern Region.

Brigadier W. M. MensaWood. PNDC member, Dr

Francis Acquah, Secretary

for Industries, Science and

Technology and Commodore Steve Obimpeh, Secretary for Agriculture,

will go to the Brong Ahafo

Region while MajorGeneral Arnold Quainoo,

PNDC member and Force

Commander, Mr E. G.

Tandoh, Secretary for

Chieftaincy Affairs, and

Mr G. E. K. Aikins, Secretary for Justice and

Attorney-General go to

the Ashanti Region.

The Eastern Region has

Captain Kojo Tsikata,

PNDC member, Mr W. H.

Yeboah, Secretary for Mobilisation and Productivity, Mr George Adamu,

Secretary for Lands and

Natural Resources and Mr

G. K. Sackey, Secretary at

the PNDC Secretariat.

The Political Counsellor

for CDRs, Lt-Col (rtd) J.

Y. Assasie, Mr Kofi Djin,

Secretary for Trade "and

Tourism and Dr E. A.

Ayirebi-Acquah, acting

Secretary for Local Government and Rural Development are for the Volta Region.

Alhaji Maharna Iddrisu,

PNDC member and

Air Commodore (rtd) F. W.

K. Klutse, Secretary for

Health are for the Central.

Region while the Western

Region will receive Mrs

Aanaa Enin, PNDC

member, Mr Kwame Pe-'

prah, Secretary for Transport and Communications and Mr E. AppiahKorang, Secretary for Fuel

and Power.

Lt-C61 (rtd) E. K. T.

Donkoh, Chief of Staff,

NDC Headquarters, Mr

Ato Dadzie, Secretary at

the PNDC Secretariat, Dr

Obed Asamoah, Secretary

for Foreign Affairs, Dr Ben

Abdallah, Secretary foi

Education and Culture

and Mr E. A. Sai, Secretary to the Committee of

Secretaries and Head of

the Civil Service are to remain in Accra.

/12828

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19
GHANA

AIRPORT SECURITY TIGHTENED AT KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL

Accra GHANAIAN TIMES in English 28 Feb 87 pp 1, 3

[Text]

TN line with the KotoJca International Airport in Accra

being classified as a security

zone, the use of the "Green ',

Card" that permitted Its hold- j

ers entry into the Arrival and

Departure Halls has been ab»

lished.

Also banned is the service of

all unregistered porters popularly called "Goro Boys".

A rel<»ase signed yesterday

by Chief of Staff, Lt Col (rtd)

E. K. T; Donkoh, explained that

these measures were being

adopted to conform with international aviation security procedures.

The release said loitering of

unregistered porters at the

airport was-an offence, addi.g

that that soliciting for their

services was also breach of the

law, both of which Were liable

to prosecution.

The use of the tarmac' by"

vehicles, the release stated, hatf

also been reviewed.

"Colisequentlv only service

vehicles with the airline .insignia embossed, would be

allowed onto the tarmac".

According to the rrl?j<se,

"tro-tro" vehicles would no

longer be allowed to the

siroort,

AH'vehicles other than "tro-

*w>", it said, wishing to pick

passengers from the airport

Ü5?«*0 Te&

stGr «or. vetting

with the Airport Vehicle Ass*

elation by March 12. adding

that only registered vehicles

would be allowed to operate.

Dropping of passengers at

the : airport, the release said

was .open fa any vehicle,

/12828

CSO: 3400/328

20
CDR ASSISTANT ON DISTRICT ELECTIONS, EDUCATIONAL RALLIES

Accra PEOPLE'S DAILY GRAPHIC in English 3 Mar 87 pp 1, 5

[Article by Kate Hudson]

GHANA

[Text]

MR Dan Abodakpi,

Special Assistant to

the Political Counsellor for GDRs, has said

that in order to flush

out all "political vampires" from the system

it is important that the

proposed district level

elections is not rushed

through.

He noted that the'government is not interested merely in conducting

elections. Its interest is

how well it will be done

to ensure that the right

calibre of people are

elected.

This is because the aim

ofthe election is to create

a forum which would allow the people to elect

their own genuine representatives to serve their

(voters') interest, he explained. ;

Mr Abödakpi was giving a talk on the proposed district level elections

at an educational rally at

Kpöne, near Tema at the

weekend as part of activities marking the 30th

anniversary celebration;

of Ghana's Independen

ce.

The Special Assistant

explained that rallies are

being organised throug-

/12828

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hout the country to educate the people to enable

them to contribute effectively to the success of

the elections.

He emphasised that

the elections would institutionalise political participation ofThe people

at the grassroot level to

enable them to identify

and solve their own problems.

Mr Äbodakpi told

them that the elections'

would not be based on

any foreign ideas but

would be made to conform to the political und

socio-economic needs of

the. country.

He. however, said that

the modalities will soon

be out to guide the public

and ensure the elimination of unqualified contestants.

Mr Abodakpi reiterated that the on-going Hevolution wo\ild help

create a society which is

devoid ofimbalances and

such negative tendencies

that had existed over the

years and had created

serious economic imbalance in the country.

.'He expressed the hope

that the country's revolutionary process would

enable Ghanaians to correct the past mistakes to

ensure the achievement

of the goals of the nation's economic reconstruction efforts.

The Special Assistant

said that it is only when

Ghanaians come together

as a united nation and involve themselves actively

in the on-going process

that they can effectively

solve problems facing

them.

He called on Ghanaians

. to seriously exhibit the

spirit of self-help, adding

that at this stage öf the

nation's development,

"our own mobilisation effort is very vital".

. In an address, Mr Emmanuel Adzei-Anang.

Tema District Secretary,

assured the people of the

PNDC> willingness to assist communities which

engage in self-help projects

to improve upon their

standard of living.

He assured the people in

the area that surveyors

from the Ghana Water and

Sewerage Corporation

(GWSC) will be there next

week to study their broken

down water supply system.

He reminded them that

the Junior Secondary

School concept which begins next academic year

will be community-based

and called on the people to

begin discussions on the

provision of classrooms

and to apply to the educational authorities for consideration.

Mr N. T. Nortey,

member of the Interim

Management Committee

(IMC) of the Tema

District Council also reminded them that children

under three years and pregnant women will be immunised on Independence

Day at their respective localities.

Miss Beatrice I.. Ashong

Nursery Organiser of the

Tema District Education

Office stressed the need for

them to form a branch oi

the 31stDecemberWomen's

Movement.

An appeal for funds vileded about C2Ü.0OO. "..

21
GHANA

BRIEFS

COMMITTEE STUDIES PRIVATE MINING—The Ministry of Lands and Natural

Resources has set up a committee under the Mineral's Commission, to

investigate the operations of small-scale mining firms in the country. Under

the sponsorship of the World Bank, the committee is to recommend to the

Government the most appropriate way to assist small-scale gold and diamond

miners in the country. Mr Fred Ohene-Kena Under-Secretary for the Ministry,

disclosed this in an interview with me yesterday. He said the Ministry

had already received and discussed a draft report from the committee and

was awaiting the submission of the final report. [Text][Accra GHANAIAN

TIMES in English 3 Mar 87 p 1][Article by Charles Neequaye]/12828

POLICE WATCH DOG COMMITTEE--The first Police Watch-Dog Committee in the

country was inaugurated at the Accra Regional Police Depot yesterday by

Mr F. A. Asante, Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of Welfare. Mr

Asante, who represented the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), advised the

seven-member committee to endeavour at all times to monitor all shades of

opinion about the police. He also requested the committee to show maturity

in its dealings because of the sensitive nature of the Police Service.

The I.G.P. Mr C. K. Dewornu, announced on January 23 the setting up of the

committees to enable the public and the police fight crime. Members of

the committee are from the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Ghana Private

Road Transport Union, the National Council on Women and Development and the

31st December Women's Movement. The rest are from the National Youth

Organising Commission, the Police and the Greater Accra Regional Secretariat

of CDRs. Mr Asante said that in this era of rapid social changes, all

institutions of the state must reflect the aspirations of the people, adding,

"the people must be, given the opportunity to take part in decision-making

on matters that affect their lives." It is for this reason that the

government has given approval for the formation of police watch-dog committees in the country, the Deputy Commissioner said. The idea of the watchdog committee is to ensure that police-civilian relationship is restored

to one of confidence. [Text][Accra PEOPLE'S DAILY GRAPHIC in English

28 Feb 87 p 3][Article by Zenobia Beecham]/12828

MILITIA ARRESTS—The Commander of the Civil Defence Organization has ordered

the arrest and detention of some militias at James Town, Kaneshie Odorkor

and Abeka Zones following allegations of harassment, brutal assaults, illegal

fines, frequent arrests and detention. Among the affected militias are:

Mr Samuel Austin, Mr Stephen Adeiso and Mr Mustapha Bruce, also known as Red.

22
An official release in Accra yesterday explained that the public in those

zones had for some time expressed concern and complained about the conduct

of the militias. Meanwhile the Commander has ordered the immediate dismissal

of Mustapha Bruce, from the CDO. He is also declared an unwanted person

within any of the premises of the CDO. The case against other militias who

are reported to have brutally beaten up one Jonathan Adu is being farther

investigated for appropriate action to be taken against them. [Text]

[Accra GHANAIAN TIMES in English 28 Feb 87 p 3]/12828

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23
MADAGASCAR

COOPERATION WITH USSR SURVEYED

Antananarivo MADAGASCAR MATIN in French 21 Feb 87 pp 1, 5

[Text] Soviet-Malagasy contacts today are multifaceted. Cooperation between

the two countries covers the political, economic, commercial, scientific,

technical and cultural domains. It is founded on a solid contractual and

legal basis in keeping with the principle of mutual benefit.

The political rapprochement of the Malagasy Democratic Republic and the USSR is

increasingly evident, as shown on their close or identical positions taken on

a wide range of international problems: the fight for peace, prevention of

nuclear disaster, cessation of the arms race, support for national liberation

movements and the resolution of regional conflicts.

United Nations

The leadership of the Malagasy Democratic Republic supports the major political

proposals put before the United Nations and other international forums by the

USSR. President Ratsiraka has stated that Madagascar was in complete agreement

with the Soviet program for complete liquidation of nuclear weapons by the end

of the century. Regarding the USSR's decision to extend the unilateral moratorium on nuclear explosions until 1 January 1987, the Malagasy president

described it as a courageous, responsible move in the interest of strengthening

international security, one in which it should be joined by the United States

and other nuclear powers.

Great appreciation has been given to the movement of the nonaligned nations

in world politics, to Madagascar's contribution to the activities of [text

illegible] movement and its efforts to improve the international climate.

The exchange of opinions confirmed the identical position of the Soviet Union

and the Democratic Republic of Madagascar on regional problems such as the

situation in southern Africa, settlement of the Namibian problem, proclamation

of the Indian Ocean as a peace zone and the situation created in Afghanistan.

Between Parties

Extension of relations between the USSR and the Democratic Republic of Madagascar to the political field is furthered by the exchange of delegations and

public and government officials at different levels.

24
Fruitful contacts exist between the CPSU and the AKFM [Congress Party for Malagasy Independence] and its social organizations. Relations with the Vanguard

of the Malagasy Revolution Party (AREMA), headed by Didier Ratsiraka, are good.

Delegates from these parties participated in the work of the 27th Congress of

the CPSU.

Political cooperation between the two countries received a boost with the

signing in Moscow, during Ratsiraka*s visit, of the declaration on the founding of relations of friendship and cooperation between the USSR and Madagascar, which document has far-reaching political implications. That declaration

expresses the firm resolution of both parties to consolidate the multifaceted

relations of friendship and cooperation between the two peoples in their

interest and to lay the foundation for their future development.

Economic Ties

Every year, economic ties between our countries expand. A series of economic

cooperation projects, financed by credits granted by the Soviet Union, is

being carried out. Soviet aid has helped to build and start, in 1981, a

training center for mechanics, supplying the country's agriculture with

highly skilled specialists (700 graduating since 1980). An experimental grain

farm with 200 hectares in the vicinity of the city of Antsirabe will certainly

contribute to one of the main tasks at hand: meeting Madagascar's food needs

independently.

Important projects involving Soviet-Malagasy cooperation are underway: construction of the Ampitambe-Marolambö highway, 225 km long, running through one

of the country's main agricultural regions; creation of a major veterinary

station, the first in the country to provide vaccination for livestock and

study scientific methods of selection; construction of a flour mill in Toama-i

sina; prospecting for solid minerals; drafting of the island's metals map;

and prospecting for bauxite deposits in the Manantenina region. Given the

friendly nature of relations between the two countries, the USSR grants Madagascar considerable free aid. It has made a gift of 200 tractors, Niva automobiles, a Yak-40 airplane and ambulances. Soviet aid often takes on a humanitarian nature and is granted in order to help people face natural disasters.

Last summer, for example, when the Honorinina cyclone devastated the country,

the Soviet Union gave Madagascar cement, other building materials and medicine.

Trade

Year after year, Soviet-Malagasy commercial trade expands. The Soviet Union

buys coffee, cloves, pepper and sisal. It sells trucks, airplanes, helicopters,

automobile maintenance equipment and parts, cement, phographic equipment,

film and books.

Contacts between the USSR and the Democratic Republic of Madagascar are also

expanding in the fields of culture and sports. It is now a tradition to organize exhibitions of Soviet films and books. USSR festivals, organized by one

of the federated republics, have become commonplace. There are extensive

exchanges of artists, scientists and athletes. Some 50 Soviet teachers now

25
teach in Madagascar, 15 of them Russian teachers paid by the USSR. The SovietMalagasy Friendship Center is operating successfully in Antananarivo. Over

300 Malagasy take Russian classes there. The Russian language is also taught

in the schools and high schools and the university in the capital. In all,

over 2,000 Malagasy are learning Russian. A group of Soviet trainers is also

working in Madagascar. Malagasy athletes took part in the Good Will Games in

Moscow. Antananarivo, capital of the Democratic Republic of Madagascar, has

since December 1980 been Erevan's twin city. A major role in the continued

strengthening of friendship and understanding between the peoples of the two

countries is played by the USSR-DRM and DRM-USSR friendship associations.

Training

Soviet assistance plays a particularly important role in the training of Madagascar's upper-level personnel. The USSR's higher institutions and specialized

high schools have been attended by over 1,200 Malagasy students. Over 1,600

young citizens from the Democratic Republic of Madagascar are now studying in

the USSR. In answer to a request by the Malagasy Government, Soviet specialists worked out recommendations for reorganization of higher education and

research in the major schools in Madagascar. The Soviet Union is helping

Madagascar to equip regional university centers by supplying technical material and equipment.

The development of cultural relations will without any doubt be promoted by

the protocol on cultural and scientific cooperation between the USSR and the

DRM signed during the president's visit.

Soviet-Malagasy cooperation is moving ahead and offers shining prospects, for

its basis are lasting objective factors. Relations between our two countries

are based on a community of interests and goals of socialist nations and

young states that have opted for the path of progressive transformation.

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26
MADAGASCAR

COOPERATION AGREEMENT SIGNED WITH TUNISIA

Antananarivo MADAGASCAR MATIN in French 21 Feb 87 pp 1-2

[Excerpt] Tunis (AF/ANTA)—On Thursday, Tunisia and Madagascar signed their

first framework agreement for economic, technical and scientific cooperation,

at the close of Foreign Affairs Minister Jean Bemananjara's 3-day visit to

Tunisia, during which he met with Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba.

Bemananjara, on his first official visit to Tunisia, left Tunis for Paris late

Thursday afternoon. The Malagasy minister was received on Wednesday by Prime

Minister Rachid Sfar and said that on Thursday, he had submitted a message of

"brotherhood and solidarity" to the Tunisian chief of state from his Malagasy

colleague, President Didier Ratsiraka.

Arriving in Tunis on Tuesday, in response to an Invitation from his Tunisian

counterpart, Bemananjara said that his visit illustrated his country's determination to "move into the concrete phase" of its "already very old" relations

with Tunisia.

Amidst a "warm, brotherly atmosphere marked by friendship and mutual understanding," the joint communique reads, Bemananjara also met with the Tunisian

ministers of education, Amor Chedli, youth and sports, Dr Hamed Karoui, and

culture, Zakaria Ben Mustapha, for the purpose of laying the groundwork for

"broad and solid cooperation." On Thursday morning, he also traveled south of

Tunis to the Nabeul region on the Gulf of Hammamet.

The Malagasy minister, who was also welcomed at the headquarters of the Arab

League in Tunis, emphasized in the joint communique the need to strengthen and

expand Arab-African cooperation through an intensification of exchanges and

visits between African and Arab partners, under the aegis of the OAU and the

Arab League;

Bemananjara, who invited Mabrouka for an official visit to Madagascar, discussed current issues and affairs in Africa, the Near East and the Gulf region

during what he termed "useful" meetings with his colleague.

11,464

CSO: 3419/106

27
MADAGASCAR

FOOD SHORTAGES, NOT FAMINE, SEEN IN SOUTH

Antananarivo MADAGASCAR MATIN in French 16 Feb 87 pp 1, 6

[Article by D. R.]

[Text] "One could not say that there is actually famine in the south," representatives of the nongovernmental organization Doctors Without Borders told

us. The organization has joined with the Malagasy Government in signing

documents relating to their action in the southernmost region, specifically,

in the area from Beloha to Ambovombe.

This is extremely good news. There can be no comparison made between the

grave nutritional problems observed in certain regions of Africa and what is

happening in Androy. On this matter, we can rely on the members of the organization, who have come to make an on-the-spot evaluation. Backed by experience gained in all the "hot spots" and critical areas of the Third World,

they certain know how to distinguish between a catastrophic situation and

one that has not reached such a point.

Nevertheless, one would rightfully wonder whether there is cause to rejoice

over the results of this mission of evaluation. Actually, considered on the

strictly national level, the problem remains intact. Whether or not there is

true famine, the majority of the people of Androy have trouble finding anything

to eat and the situation is such that some have died from starvation. It is

a fact that compared with Ethiopia, the case of Androy is not as serious, but

people are still dying of hunger. The between-season period, which is longer

and longer every year, is felt more than in the other faritany [higher administrative district].

We have already reported the results of the observations we have personally

made: the total indigence to which a large part of the population is reduced,

the abandoned villages, the few cactuses the livestock have left, the seed

wasted as the result of different attempts to plant whenever it rains, but

insufficiently. All these facts demonstrate the gravity of the situation.

Things have definitely changed since that time and the problem of the drought

seems to have passed for the time being. Actually, the south has received more

rain than it needed, but the problem is still not solved. In order to recover

from their difficulties, the people need great assistance, not only in terms

28
of food products, but mainly seed. Such action is now underway (gifts of food

from various friendly countries, seed from the government, but it remains to

be seen whether such seed ends up in cooking pots).

In the midst of the near general excitement, the Doctors Without Borders organization found a sector of action in keeping with its activities, essentially

the nutritional domain. For a (renewable) period of 6 months, a team made up

of a doctor, a nutritionist, two nurses and an administrator-logistics coordinator will help the most vulnerable portion of the population in the area

between Beloha and Ambovombe, helping the people to get the most out of and

best manage existing resources. At the same time, assistance will be provided

to regional health personnel in giving primary health care, particularly for

the expanded vaccination program launched by the government with the establishment of cold-storage facilities.

The cost of the project worked out by Doctors Without Borders following their

evaluation is some 300 million FMG [Malagasy francs]. The team will take up

its official headquarters Thursday on the premises provided by the Ministry

of Health in the fivondronana [village] of Ambovombe.

11,464

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29
MADAGASCAR

RED CROSS MISSION SURVEYS MALNUTRITION

Antananarivo MADAGASCAR MATIN in French 25 Feb 87 pp 1, 6

[Article by J. Rabemanantsoa]

[Excerpt] Two International Red Cross emissaries now in Madagascar met with

members of the Malagasy press at Malagasy Red Cross offices in Tsaralalana

yesterday afternoon to discuss their respective missions.

Their names are Mrs Fatma Woehlers Olsen, representing the League of Red Cross

Societies and the Red Crescent, and Paul Metier, head of the regional delegation of the International Red Cross Committee (CICR).

In the country since 29 January, Woehlers Olsen's main mission was to evaluate

the nutritional activities of the Malagasy Red Cross a year after its establishment of the first recovery and nutrition education centers.

As she emphasized, this action by the Malagasy Red Cross began because of a

real emergency stemming from an increase in the incidence of serious malnutrition noted in pediatrics departments.

At the present time, the island has nearly 30 recovery centers scattered

throughout its regions and they handle over 1,000 children.

During her stay, which included provincial tours, Woehlers Olsen saw close up

the achievements of the Red Cross, but also problems it encounters in its

action, mainly insofar as planning future activities is concerned.

If she has not yet been able to publish her results — 4 weeks is too short of

a stay to give estimates ~ she has nevertheless observed that more and more

people are beginning to take an interest in nutritional problems.

Ministry of Health officials have expressed concern over the expansion of

nutritional activities, which must be coordinated to be effective.

Whatever the case, Woehlers Olsen noted during her tour of several localities

on the island and based on information supplied to her by local officials

that the problem of malnutrition is not as acute in some regions as in others.

In Tamatave, for example, there are more candidates for nutritional aid than

30
in Mahajanga. This is due to the difference in socioeconomic groups, which

determines the predisposition toward malnutrition.

Taking up a much broader subject, Woehlers Olsen stressed during the meeting

that while nutritional action is the heart of her mission, the support of the

Malagasy Red Cross League comes within a general framework of developing the

Malagasy Red Cross and supporting its activities in the spirit of the Red

Cross.

Inasmuch as the idea behind the Red Cross is to go beyond pure assistance and

provide education and get on to broader activities, the national Red Cross

societies should, she said, revive the so-called "new-look" help adapted to

the socioeconomic environment of the country in question.

This medium-range reform of objectives is obviously valid for the Malagasy

Red Cross, which has the good fortune to enjoy an "admirable" potential of

volunteers (according to Woehlers Olsen).

11,464

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31
MADAGASCAR

BRIEFS

SOVIET-MALAGASY FRIENDSHIP WEEK—Soviet-Malagasy Friendship Week began at the

Soanierana Social Club with a private viewing of an exhibition of Soviet

photos, books and records. Attending the viewing were Brig Gen Lucien Rakotonirainy, chief of staff of the People's Army, and Pavel Petrik, ambassador

extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the USSR to the Malagasy Democratic Republic. This Friendship Week will help to gain a better knowledge of the life of

the people in the Soviet Union and Madagascar, their culture, traditions and

customs, their aspirations and their common struggle for social progress.

More specifically, the exhibition, held on the eve of the celebration of the

70th anniversary of the Great Socialist October Revolution, will enable visitors to see the successes recorded by the Soviet people since 1917. Rakotonirainy took advantage of the ceremony launching the Friendship Week, which

coincides with the celebration of the 69th anniversary of the formation of the

Red Army, to express to that institution his "warmest wishes and most sincere

congratulations for its efforts to persevere in its noble task." Returning

to the matter of the exhibition, he then stressed its importance and that of

Friendship Week, organized for the Malagasy public and particularly the members

of the People's Armed Forces so as to bring the Soviet and Malagasy people

closer together. Rakotonirainy also expressed his hope that the exhibition

would enjoy with the public and the members of the Armed Forces "the maximum

benefit that each individual has the right to expect from it." It should be

noted that Friendship Week will also feature films, public lectures and

athletic events. [Excerpts] [Antananarivo MADAGASCAR MATIN in French

17 Feb 87 pp.1, 6] 11,464

CSO: 3419/106

32
MAURITIUS

BY-ELECTIONS OFFICIALLY SET FOR JULY

Port Louis L'EXPRESS in French 15 Feb 87 pp 1, 6

[Text] Yesterday afternoon, Sir Veerasamy Ringadoo, governor general, had the

"writs" published for the by-elections to be held in the districts of Mahebourg/

Plaine-Magnien (No 12) and Riviere-des-Anguilles/Souillac (No 13).

According to the official documents, the day set for the filing of candidacies

(Nomination Day) is Friday, 10 April, and voters in those two districts should

go to the polling places on Sunday, 5 July.

The writs, bearing the seal of Reduit Palace and the signature of Sir Veerasamy Ringadoor, were submitted to officials of the election commission, which

is responsible for organizing any people's election in Mauritius, at about

1600 hours yesterday.

The partial elections became necessary, according to the provisions of the

constitution, with the resignations of deputies Harish Boodhoo on 18 November

and Lutchmeeparsad Ramsahok on 12 December of last year.

These two resignations came as a result of the work of the drug investigative

commission, headed by Sir Maurice Rault.

Harish Boodhoo submitted his resignation to Parliament after revelations by

repentant witness Raffick Peerbaccus and the decision by the Politburo of the

Militant Socialist Movement (MSM) to kick him out of the party.

For his part, former deputy Ramsahok submitted his letter of resignation to

the Speaker after it was discovered that he did not reveal all his bank accounts

to the Rault commission. He was to present proof of his resignation before

apologizing to the commission.

When questioned by L'EXPRESS early yesterday evening, one of the members of

the election commission confirmed reception of the writs for these by-elections

at Reduit Palace. He also informed L'EXPRESS that these elections to fill two

vacant seats will be based on the old election lists, since the new year begun

by the election commission will not be completed by the time the partial elections are scheduled to be held.

33
"We anticipate no difficulty concerning these two districts with the new

election chart signed by Andre Robert. Actually, the election redistricting

that will be in effect at the time of the coming legislative elections provides

for no change in the boundaries of the two districts," he emphasized.

Political observers set to work immediately following news of publication of

the writs. For some, "if the partial elections in two districts located in a

so-called 'hot' region were ever to take place, they would be a true test of

value."

But for others, the official publication of the writs is the logical followup

to the provisions of the constitution and the holding of general elections

ahead of time in 1987 would cancel out these by-elections because dissolution

of Parliament should come between now and the end of June.

To better build their case, the latter point to the determination expressed

by the prime minister and leader of the Militant Socialist Movement (MSM),

Anerood Jugnauth, to organize general elections early.

The latest statement to date of the prime minister, at the first regional

congress of that political group in Le Hochet, was brought up yesterday afternoon, only a few hours after the lifting of the cyclone alert.

Tomorrow, the election commission will begin preparations for the by-elections

in the south. Whatever the case, political parties will be able to find in

these partial elections an excuse to accelerate their plans for early elections

in 1987, scheduled for the end of August.

11,464

CSO: 3419/115

34
MAURITIUS

JUGNAUTH DEFENDS ACTIONS TOWARD IMF

Port Louis L'EXPRESS in French 19 Feb 87 p 5

[Excerpt] The history of Mauritius since 1976 is that all the promises made

by the MMM [Mauritian Militant Movement], which it could not fulfill in 1982

when it took power, have been kept by the MSM [Mauritius Socialist Movement]

government since 1983.

With these words, Anerood Jugnauth, prime minister, began the addresses he

delivered before two private meetings which his party, the MSM, held yesterday

afternoon in Tyack and then Batimarais.

"Zorro of History"

We know, he continued, that the famous Zorro of Mauritius' history between

1976 and 1983 held his stomach and used every possible insult for the former

minister of finance, Sir Veerasamy Ringadoo, whom he had always blamed for

saying "Yes" to the IMF and the World Bank, But, once installed as minister

of finance, that same Zorro said nothing but "Yes" to the IMF when pressure was

put on him to abolish the rice subsidies. At one point, he even agreed to

resume negotiations with the IMF looking to a third devaluation of the Mauritian rupee.

MMM/PSM Split

But, Jugnauth continued, we had had our proof through other countries that had

also always adopted the principle of saying "Yes" to the IMF and which later

experienced revolutions. That is why the government then refused to discuss

the devaluation with the IMF and it was one of the reasons for the MMM/PSM

[Mauritian Socialist Party] break in 1983.

But before that, when Jugnauth was on a mission abroad, Paul Berenger held

discussions with Kader Bhayat concerning the price at which rice was to be sold

in Mauritius. Bhayat refused to back what Berenger said and the later then

began to state, at meetings in which supporters of the MMM participated, that

the time had come for that party's Political Bureau to take the upper hand

over the Cabinet.

35
Constitution

Upon his return to Mauritius, Bhayat informed him of what was going on and

Jugnauth then decided to make certain decisions so as to make sure that the

country's constitution would prevail over the party's Political Bureau, which

was the main reason for the 1983 breakup of the MMM/PSM government.

Principle of Democracy

It was clear, Jugnauth said, that Berenger wanted to apply what was being done

in Madagascar and the Seychelles to Mauritius. However, it so happens that in

Mauritius, we have the principle of democracy and institutions that deserve to

be protected.

Nor must one forget that the MMM wanted the closing of the TDA [Tea Development

Authority] and the DWC. This party was in favor of the abolition of certain

rights won by the labor world after over 100 years in the country.

However, he continued, even Madagascar now realizes it made a mistake and

wants to go back. As for Mauritius, the Alliance Government has managed, in

4 years, to get it out of the mess it was in and this is officially recognized

by the IMF, the World Bank and other friendly countries.

One must not forget that since 1983, 60,000 jobs have been created in Mauritius. Surely there are other problems, but no one can claim to solve everything in 4 years. Jugnauth added that he can guarantee that in 4 or 5 years,

the situation will be better in the country.

Slogans of the MMM

Jugnauth asked his listeners not to let themselves be taken in by the slogans

of the MMM because, he continued, "good slogans do not fill your children's

stomachs."

He also harshly condemned the MMM for refusing to cooperate with a "select

committee" set up to study the drug problem or help the investigative commission on drugs.

We must not forget, the prime minister said, that it was two MMM deputies,

Osman Gendoo and Bashire Khodabux, who signed the passport application for the

wife of "La Tete" [the boss], whose trial is now taking place in Reunion.

Khodabux failed in his duty, he said, for not turning in La Tete, although he

is his neighbor in Plaine-Verte and although according to information in the

hands of the prime minister, his house was used as a smoking den.

11,464

CSO: 3419/115

36
MAURITIUS

JUGNAUTH'S MISTAKES LISTED BY BERENGER

Port Louis L'EXPRESS in French 21 Feb 87 p 5

[Text] Anerood Jugnauth has made three mistakes for which he will have to

pay in the coming general elections that will take place — there is no longer

any doubt about it — in August. He will pay for having pitted one community

against another, for having crushed democracy and for having allowed drugs to

gain a foothold in Mauritius, with their train of fraud and corruption.

That is the essence of what was said yesterday afternoon at the meetings of

the MMM [Mauritian Militant Movement] held in Saint-Pierre and Riviere-Noire.

Paul Berenger, leader of the MMM, said at the two gatherings that it is now

clear that there will be no by-elections in districts Nos 12 and 13, but that

there will be general elections in August instead.

Incompetence

The reason why the MMM believes that general elections will be held before

the end of the term of this government in 1988 is that Jugnauth has proved

that he is incompetent and that he also does not have what it takes to be

prime minister.

After speaking at length about the first two reasons why he said that Jugnauth

will have to pay in the next general elections, Berenger referred to what

"La Tete" [the boss] said at his trial in Reunion, to the effect that in 1983,

he had campaigned for the MSM [Mauritian Socialist Movement] throughout the

island in the company of Jugnauth, Duval and Harish Boodhoo.

No Proof

"It is therefore clear that since that period, drug traffickers have been in

the wake of the prime minister. We can thus understand why Jugnauth did

everything to silence the Amsterdam affair and why he refused to conduct an

investigation into drug traffickers in Mauritius" because, the prime minister

said, he had no proof against the traffickers.

37
Speaking of the revival of the economic situation in Mauritius, the leader of

the MMM said that the government was wrong to wait for the eve of the general

elections to reduce the price of a half kilo of rice by 15 cents and that of

flour by 10. For at least 2 years, he continued, the MMM has known that

Mauritius' financial situation is on the right path, thanks to the measures

recommended by the MMM/PSM [Mauritian Socialist Party] in 1982. But that

relief should have come in 1985. Mauritians should have enjoyed a reduction

in the prices of oil, gas and cooking fuel as well, he said.

Cabinet To Trust

Concerning the accusations made by the prime minister against the MMM to the

effect that it is a communal party, Berenger asked his audience not to worry

about them. What the MMM will do in the coming general elections will be to

present a list including a president, prime minister and deputy prime minister,

as well as a team of ministers one can trust.

Sharing Responsibilities

It is important, he added, for responsibilities to be shared by a president

and prime minister, "in order to prevent the abuses we have witnessed in recent years."

Also speaking were Cassam Uteem, Jayen Cuttaree, Bramduth Ghoorah, Prem Nababsingh and Dharmanandl Fokeer.

11,464

CSO: 3419/115

38
MOZAMBIQUE

DOCUMENT BY FORMER FIGHTERS ADVOCATES NEGOTIATIONS WITH RENAMO

Lisbon AFRICA CONFIDENCIAL in English 15 Feb 87 p 15

[Text]

The document we will

mention in this article

was issued in Maputo

about one week after

President Samora Machel's death. Initially, the

document was addressed to four members of

Frelimo's Politburo —

Joaquim Chissano, Alberto Chipande, Armando Guebuza and

Mariano Matsinhe — but

later, photostats of it

reached many other

parties, in and out of

Mozambique's official

circles. The authors of

the document have remained anonymous.

They identify themselves

simply as «...former

fighters and founders of

this Republic...» (Mozambique). Evidence

gathered by us does

suggests this is an authentic document (see

pg. 16). There are good

indications leading to

the parties who could

have produced such a

document and, on the

other hand, the ideas

and concepts it reflects

correspond to the line of thought of a large

sector within Mozambique's political power.

In its main points, the

document (twelve pages

plus a 7-page addendum)

discusses matters like the

role of the white people in

the Mozambique society

and displays great antagonism concerning the

participation of whites in

political affairs. The whites

are described as «non-

-«originally mozambicans».

The»'document also deals

at length with the problem

of the civil war and advocates negotiations with

Renamo to end it. The following is a transcript of the

sections of the document

which deal with the participation of people other

than black Mozambicans in

government and with the

civil war.

«The bitter experience

we have with the results of

having opened political

power to all and any citizen stems from the lack of

honesty and patriotism of

citizens who despite being

considered Mozambicans

will always be compromised with foreign powers.

(...) We believe that the

criteria of origin and birth

(place-of-birth) should be

taken into account in the

sphere of political power:

Government and government action must reflect

the wishes of our dear

people. (...) It rpust represent the majority in this

Homeland. It must represent those, who were in

fact the targets of colonisation.

«We, Frelimo, we will

exclude completely from

political power, economic

power or military power all

the non-originally mozambicans. Such mozambicans may, if they wish,

devote themselves to other

activities such as: perform

tasks for which they are

professionally qualified;

work in the private sector

in trade, agriculture, industry and so on. This is

not discrimination. It

simply means we are putting into practice the origin

criterion.

«Whites, indians and others may acquire mozambican nationality but that

does no entitle them to

take over political power in

our country. (...) They have

all the conditions and the

possibility of continuing to

live in our country. But

what we do not want is for

them to take over political

power and rule our

country. Should they have

39

i
such ambitions then let

them go back to their

countries of origin where

they have the legitimate

right to demand and to assume political power.

«...The non-originally

mozambicans know perfectly well that the People

would never accept them

as rulers. Hence, to become rulers they go about

recruiting mozambicans of

origin to act as their agents

and lackeys. Those who

accept such a task create

a mentality which betrays

the true aspirations of the

Mozambique People and is

against the People. That is

why the People has no

support, live in misery while the rulers and the non-

-originally Mozambicans

live and eat well and in

great style.

«We have to find a solution for this problem (the

war) if we want to be called

the children of this People

which is being daily massacred, mutilated, humiliated andexploited. (...) Let

us be bold, we, the former

fighters, and let us accept

that on the battle field now,

on the other side there are

Mozambicans. That is called a civil war.

«We should not allow the

war to become an international conflict. That would

be no solution. It would

only make us postpone the

problem and waste more

time. Our people wants

peace. We, as a Government, we should look for

more adequate and lasting

solutions for the civil war.

If we really represent the

People and are in charge

of the destiny of the Homeland, then let us allow

no more massacres of the

population in the defence

of interests which are foreign to us.

«We believe that to bring

about the end of the war

we must create a climate of

reconciliation. But such

reconciliation should not

be brought about just

anyhow. In the event of an

agreement between Frelimo and Renamo, the non-

-originally mozambicans in

Renamo should not be allowed to take part in the

peace talks. (...) The Government which will come

from Frelimo and Renamo

will be a Government of

mozambicans of origin.

«A military solution can

bring us peace but for a

short while only. We must

try and take the country

out of an endless war. Let

us look at what is happening in countries like

Chad, Uganda and so on.

(...)

«Let us imagine Renamo

would achieve a military

victory. We would go back

to the bush. Should then

•Renamo lose again, they in

turn would go back to the

bush and the war would go

on and on.

«We know we now fight

against puppets, executioners and armed bandits

and there are quite a lot of'

them. Hence it is better to

talk directly to the executioners (puppets or armed

bandits) for them to stop

being used by their bosses.

Should the Party and the

Government not share this

view, our view of this problem, then we better die

right away, because the

option is a slow and much

more painful death.

«Let us look at this war

of ours. Some say it is a

struggle against armed

bandits. Others say it is a

struggle against Communist expansionism in the

world. The real truth is that

on the battle field we, mozambicans, are fighting

each other. We are fighting

among ourselves. We are

killing each other. We are

killing entire populations.»

Without being so exhaustive the document also considers other aspects

like the return to Mozambique of all «intellectuals of

mozambique origin» who

are now abroad so that a

«patriotic economic decision can be taken» concerning the dismissal of a

good deal of «cooperators»

(foreign workers).

On this the documentstates: «No country on

Earth has managed to

achieve real development

with foreign cadres.»

The document also

suggests that the crash of

President Machel's aircraft

was due to the «casual attitude, irresponsibility, lack

of skill and incompetence»

of the former Security Minister, Sergio Vieira, who

is of indian origin and a

very unpopular man.

Further on the document

states that on both sides of

the Mozambique war there

are external influences:

«Under the cover of assisting us (meaning the Soviet Union which is described as 'the weapons

supplier') in fighting the

enemy they are draining us

of our resources and when

we have no more to be

exploited they will abandon us...»

/9317

CSO: 3400/281

4.0.
NIGERIA

UNEMPLOYMENT SITUATION VIEWED AS GRAVE

Labor Minister on Current Relief Activities

London AFRICAN CONCORD in English 5 Mar 87 pp 10, 13

[Interview with Brigadier Ike Nwachukwu, Minister of Employment, Labor and

Productivity, by Bayo Ananuga; date and place not specified]

[Text]

Brigadier Ike Nwachukwu, Nigeria's

Minister of Employment, Labour and

Productivity, spoke about the Federal

Government's jobs programme.

Q: Your ministry says that the number of

unemployed is estimated at three million.

How did you arrive at this figure?

A: It's based on a formula. The employable

people in Nigeria are aged between 16 and

60 years. There are about 48 million people

in that group. Seven per cent of these are

out of a job, and seven per cent of 48

million gives you roughly 3.5 million.

Q: Does thatfigure include those retrenched

or reinstated?

A: Yes, it does. It includes everybody.

Q: What is your reaction to reports that in

some states, foreign nationals are being

discriminated against?

A: Federal Government policy does not

discriminate against anybody. But we do

have quotas to ensure that people try to

work in their home areas.

We did not at anytime give any directive

that employers shouldn't hire anyone except from their state of origin. Generally

people recruit first those from their home

areas and then others.

We preach and believe in mobility of

labour, but at the same time uphold the

Government's policy on the quota system.

Q: How many states are going to test the pilot

programme?

A: This programme is for the entire

country. We are starting from Lagos and

also recruiting from other states. There are

more organisations and individual craftsmen who want to train in Lagos, where we

have 75 per cent of the country's industries. So far, we have been able to get

about 30,000 vacancies for apprenticeship

training here.

The states also have vocational training

centres and industries. Our states' chief

labour officers are co-ordinating those.

Q: How much is paid to the owners of these

workshops? Is it 150 naira per month or ISO

naira per year, while apprentices receive

about 50 naira per month?

A: It is 150 naira for the entire course. The

apprentice receives 50 naira a month. The

reason is that these craftsmen and industries are helping to train Nigerians who are

otherwise going to be useless and that's

their own contribution to helping to ease

the unemployment problem.

Q: Is the Federal Government seeking

assistance from international bodies such as

the ILO?

A: We didn't go out of our way to ask for

assistance in this area. But ILO and UNDP

have given us their word that they will help

if we ask them. They have also offered

technical assistance in implementing the

public works programme.

The UNDP has already allocated

584,000 for this purpose.

41
Q: If the Government is really commuted to

putting Nigerians back to work, isn't there

some way of stopping state takeovers and

redundancies?

A: I agree. It is a very interesting question.

When I spoke to the Nigerian Labour

Congress recently the same point was

made. Yesterday, we had a meeting with

ministers from most ministries and heads

of parastatals and tried to find a solution to

the problem.

It was clear that those who were sacked

or made redundant were mainly those who

were indolent, who were always going on

sick leave, or not attending work. Those

who were over-aged (with more than 35

years in public service), over the 55-year

age limit, or have been found guilty or

suspected of being fraudulent and of

course, bad managers were the bulk of

those asked to quit.

The government is aware of these complications. But we just have to choose the

better of two evils.

I'm glad you asked this question because

the press has a major role to play in

educating our people. The Government

would not want to hurt anybody. Those

made redundant are not condemned to not

finding jobs. Those who wish to become

self-employed and can provide a good

feasibility study of what they want to do,

would be recommended to the banks which

would give them money to start their own

jobs.

The number of jobs that the Government can offer is limited. Those who are

not prepared to work must go.

We support profitablity and I have told

employers that where they make a lot of

profit they should have no moral justification in sacking people so as to share larger

profits with their shareholders when they

can support many more people in jobs for a

slightly smaller return on their investment.

Nigeria is about the only country 1 know

where a man invests so much in a business

and wants an appropriate return within one

year. Now, our banks are beginning to

realise that there should be a longer

gestation period and that profit must be

shared with the owner of the business, but

not to the detriment of society.

We would like the~press to help us to let

people know that out intention is not to

throw people out of jobs but to create jobs,

and we are doing our best to do just that.

I hope to change the attitude of young

people in this country, to know that they

can help themselves and, with bank assistance, we would turn the country round in

the shortest possible time.

But I've spoken to a number of these

boys and girls who come to see me. They

tend to be afraid to take risks. They don't

believe it's possible for them to go to the

bank and receive a bank loan, but I tell

them that things are changing.

'We have set up a 30 million naira job

recreation guarantee loan scheme with the

banks.

Now the banks realise that our salvation

lies in the support of the small-scale

industrialists and small businesses in the

country they provide more jobs than the

bigger sectors.

Q: Are the loans made by banks anywhere in

the country?

A: No. 30 million naira is a lot of money,

but not enough to spread to all banks. We

have about 48 banks in Nigeria. We have

selected 15 and maybe we'll push it to

about 17, maximum, to do this for us.

These banks have branches all over the

country. Eventually the sceheme will be

extended to all other banks, so that anyone

can go to them and get a loan to start their

own business.

Q: What is the ministry doing about the

expatriate quota?

A: The President made it clear in his

budget for 1987. The Minister of Internal

Affairs has said that from now on, a list of

job applicants will be sent to the Ministry

of Labour, which will look through the

registry of professionals and consult the

labour exchange to see if we have people

for such posts. If so, their names will be

submitted to the Ministry of Internal

Affairs, which will advice the employers

accordingly.

42
Labor Leader on Situation, Government Policy

London AFRICAN CONCORD in English 5 Mar 87 pp 13-14

[Interview with Dr, Lasisi Osunde, National Labor Congress secretary;

date and place not specified]

[Text]

Öy/hat are your feelings about the

.* present unemployment situation w

the country?

A- The situation is quite grave and gives

rise to concern in labour circles. The

government is also very worried about it.

As a result, they have decided to set up the

Directorate of Employment. According to

government statistics, there are at least

three million unemployed. But in fact

there are many more than that. Therefore,

the government will have to do something

and do it quickly. .

Q How many people would you estimate

nave lost their jobs, according to your

records?

A: More than a million have lost their jobs

since the retrenchment exercise, because it

has adversely affected the industrial

unions. You can easily trace this from our

income We receive our income from

members' dues. Retrenchment has

affected the industrial unions and consequently the NLC (Nigerian Labour Congress). x.

In 198^ you could safely put the

strength of the NLC at about 3.5 million

workers. But now, we can boast of only

two million or so. That is well over a

million-and-a-half workers lost Apart

from this, there are more than 3UUUUU

secondary school leavers in all parts of the

country, as well as university students. The

figure rises every year, which is why the

government must do something, otherwise, sooner or later, there will be social

unrest.

Q: Do you see the current efforts by the

Government in the new Directorate of Employment as capable of arresting this unhealthy situation?

A: It [the new directorate] is without doubt

a positive move, but it is not the complete

answer. We are running a neo-capitalist

economy, and the main purpose of this

type of system is private profit in the

interest of the individual who owns the

means of production and distribution.

Unemployment can only be completely

eradicated when there is a conscious effort

by the government to alter the existing

social system and opt for a system which

guarantees that profits are ploughed back

to enhance the social security of the

working people and the whole nation. We

have to move pway from the present social

economic development to a more rational

development towards socialism. It is impossible to eradicate unemployment in a

capitalist economy.

Q: What is the NLC doing on its part to

alleviate the situation? Are you initiating

projects such as an employment drive?

We will do our best to assist the

Government in this situation, but labour is

not to create jobs. It is not the policy.

Labour is to defend jobs, which the

Government should create. That is why we

are helping to see that the present

Directorate "of ilmployment is made to

provide employment for unemployed

Nigerians.

Q: Do you see the situation improving by the

end of this year?

A: That depends on a number of factors. If

the nation continues without a conscious

effort to address the socio economic position of the country; if workers play a

separate role in government; it government-created businesses and public enterprises are not sold to private individuals;

and if the government takes a more active

role in economic activities, then we might

move forward. But if you allow more

private enterprise, the workers will be hard

hit. There is a periodic economic crisis in

the capitalist system which is affecting us.

This crisis, and the mismanagement of our

own economy by our own people, is why

we are where we are today. 9

/12828

CSO: 3400/315

43
NIGERIA

ARMED FORCES MODERNIZATION CAMPAIGN REVIEWED

London AFRICAN CONCORD in English 26 Feb 87 p 19

[Article by Obinna Anyadike]

[Text]

At the start of the military exercise

codenamed "Kingpin" last November,

involving the 2nd mechanised division, in

Ibadan, Chief of Army Staff 'Sanhi Abacha told the assembled men: "We will never

be caught napping whenever we have to

face the challenges of the profession."

It was a poignant statement in the light

of the High Command's concern over

South African involvement in Equatorial

Guinea.

Since the tragedy of the 30-month civil

war between 1967-70, the military have not

been involved in serious combat, although

there have been low intensity border

clashes with Cameroon and Chad. Of

primary concern has been the reduction of

the size of the army, and its transformation

into a modern mechanised force, and a

corresponding development of the capability of the navy and air force.

By 1970, the size of the armed forces was

230,000 men.

The defence budget is second only to

Pretoria's in sub-Saharan Africa, but has

suffered a sharp decline in recent years.

The 80,000 strong army is separated into

four divisions, two of which are mechanised, and each composed of three mechanised brigades. The armoured division consists of four armoured and one mechanised

brigade.

The "composite" division is made up of

airborne, air-portable and amphibious

brigades based at Port Harcourt.

The composite division of amphibious

and air-borne units reflects the concern

over the potential threat to the strategic

delta region, the base of the oil industry.

For the direct defence of oil resources, a

naval special forces base has been established on the Escravos river in Bendel

state.

In the light tank category there are about

50 Scorpions, which.are fast and rugged.

There is also an undisclosed number of

Austrian-built SK-105 tank killers.

Mechanised transport for the army is

limited, but is undergoing a process of

standardisation with British equipment

dating from the civil war being phased out.

Funding had started for the assembly of

Steyr MICVs and APCs in Bauchi, and

production is planned at 200 and 400

vehicles respectively, but appears to have

stalled.

^ The firepower that the artillery can

deploy is adequate, and includes 25 Palmana self propelled guns. Anti-tank capability is based on the 106mm recoil rifle and a

recent delivery of Swingfire guided missile

systems.

With Nigeria's economy dependent

upon open shipping lanes, there has been a

marked expansion of the navy. Although

still a coastal defence force, there are plans

to extend its range and capability. A

naval dockyard is being built at Victoria

Island, Lagos, and technicians sent abroad

for training. A fledgling naval air arm

has been created flying three Lynx helicopters. Two are based on-shore for search

and rescue and maritime surveillance (in

conjunction with two F-27 planes), and the

third on the largest ship of the fleet, the

frigate NNS Aradu.

The success of South African military

invasions of neighbouring states has always

relied on their monopoly of air-power

According to Mike Gains, defence editor

of Flight International magazine, Nigeria's

chances in a clash with the SAAF "would

44
not be terribly good." The air force

operates MiG-21s in the fighter role, which

although rugged, lack modern avionics and

weaponry.

The air force has chosen to swap their

-existing planes for 18 overhauled MiG-21s,

on the grounds of past durability.

Tactical support is provided by 18 Jaguar

strike aircraft. It is an advanced jet that can

delivera massive arsenal of weapons, with

great accuracy overa long range. Close'

support and light attack is performed by 14

Alpha jets, which are small and cost

effective.A further ten are on order.

Logistics is provided by two transport

squadrons flying nine C-130 Hercules, five

G-222s (a smaller Italian version), and

three F-27s. Two support squadrons operate about 40 Dornier utility aircraft.

The air force lacks an effective groundto-air control system, and more crucially

modern early warning radar. What exists is a 3-D surveillance radar, based in the

civilian airports of Lagos and Port Harcourt, linked to the air-defence system.

Protection of airfields and strategic sites

is being up-dated with the acquisition of

Roland surface-to-air missiles. In keeping

with this, there has been an important

debate within the military over their role in

national development. President Babangida as Chief of Army Staff under

Muhammadu Buhari pressed for'the emulation of Brazil where the military acted as

an accelerator to industrialisation. There

are ambitious plans to co-opt industry and

universities in the production of "components and spare parts and a wide range of

military hardware." North Korea has also

stepped forward asa potential partner ina

joint defence programme.

/12828

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m

A

45
NIGERIA

WESTERN NAVAL COMMANDER ON NAVAL AFFAIRS

Nyako Defends Military, Naval Spending

Kaduna NEW NIGERIAN in English 4 Mar 87 p 16 '

[Text] THE Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Commodore Murtala

Nyako, has said in Lagos that

a strong national defence

force was very essential.

He told newsmen that those

who complained about the

high defence spending were

dojng so because "we are in

peace time."

He pointed out that although

nobody wanted wat\ whenever it

occurred, the attention and

resources of a country would be

diverted to its survival. "Then

there would be no time to count

costs", he said.

He said even with the very poor

state of our economy, the nation

was forced to spend about 500

million dollars to prosecute a

30-month civil war, notwithstanding cost of damage to property

and loss of human lives.

Speaking specifically on the

navy. Commodore Nyako said efforts were being made to build a

functional naval force that could

effectively deter external aggression and protect our territorial

waters.

He said the navy was working

towards achieving a certain level

of self-sufficiency especially in

repairs so that all the country's

naval ships would be seaworthy

at short notice.

Speaking on the frequency at

which foreign naval ships visited

our waters. Commodore Nyako

explained that there was nothing

unusual about such visits because

we benefitted from them.

He explained that by constantly

engaging in military exercises

with visiting warships, the navy's

state of alertness and the condition of ships were being put to

lest.

"We are not raising a navy to

fight ourselves but to fight our

enemies, and going out to sea to

ensure battle-readiness is the onfy business we know in the navy",

he said.

He further explained that since

naval exercises involved all types

of maneouvres, doing it alone

could not provide adequate yardstick with which to measure our

effectiveness.

Commodore Nyako said the

navy would start training trips to

east-and north African countries.

Ine trips, he said, are to bolster

both our military and political

image on the continent as past experience had shown.

Commodore Nyako had earlier

received the Commander of

visiting Brazilian task force"

Commodore Luiz Santos Döring.

He said that Nigerian Navy

was always willing to share the

experience of others to enhance

her own growth in all fields.

46
Nyako on Naval Training Plans, Exercises

Enugu DAILY STAR in English 5 Mar 87 p 6

[Text] The Flag Officer commanding the Western Naval Command, Commodore

Murtala Nyako on Monday, in Lagos said that that Nigeria Navy is expected to

embark on an international training cruise for its officers this year.

Exchanging views with the leader of the visiting Brazilian Navy Task Group,

Commodore Luiz Santos Döring who called on him at his office, Commodore Nyako

said that naval headquarters had given approval in principle for the command

to explore the possibility of undertaking the training cruise.

Commodore Nyako told the visitors that the Nigerian Navy was looking forward

to the Joint Training Exercise with their Brazilian counterpart with optimism,

adding that "we have just concluded a similar exercise with the West German

Navy".

He described such exercises as a golden opportunity that would help to improve

"our competence at performing our roles".

He declared "we consider the Brazilian Navy a source of inspiration to us as

it provides us opportunity of up-dating our knowledge and learning, as much as

possible from you, to see in what areas we can adopt and tap from your

experience".

Commodore Nyako said that the Nigerian Navy was exchanging views with various

Navies to compare notes in a bid to re-organise itself for a more effective

performance.

Earlier, the Commander of the Task Group, Commodore Döring briefed his host

about the organisation of the Brazilian Navy.

Commodore Döring said that their naval ships were built by their country's

Naval Shipyard in Rio De Janeiro, adding that currently three submarines were

being built by the shipyard for the Brazilian Navy, in addition to another

being built for them by the Germans.

Commodore Döring said that their visit to Nigeria was part of their training

cruise of the West African coast and to further strengthen their relations

with the Nigerian Navy.

The visitors who arrived in Lagos on Monday with about 650 officers and men,

two frigates—defensora, "UNIO" and a submarine "MUMAITAH" are expected to

stay in the country for four days.

/13104

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47
DESPITE HIGH DEMAND COAL PRODUCTION DECLINES

Ikeja NEWSWATCH in English 23 Feb 87 pp 35-36

NIGERIA

[Article by Stephen Agwudagwu]

[Text]

When many nations are exploiting coal as an energy source to

reduce over dependence on oil,

Nigeria has put the coal industry on the

back burner. Yet, present foreign demand

for Nigerian coal is about 5 million tonnes

a year. At N18 per tonne, foreign exchange

earning will be about N90 million every

year. But Nigerian Coal Corporation,

U.nugu, is unable, to respond to this demand. '.'

Output of coal has been on the decline

since 1982. From 323,001 tonnes perännum in 1972/73, it fell to 52,730 tonnes in

1983 and only improved slightly to

139,744 tonnes in 1985.

Festus Ugwu, general manager, NCC,

blamed the production problem of the industry on poor finances from the government. He said, coal minning is capital intensive and, therefore, has need for a

strong capital base. Though the corporation has been given capital loans since

1970, these have been very inadequate,for

the total reactivation of the industry. The

problem is further compounded by

government demand oh the corporation

to start repaying interests which have accrued on the capital loans.

Coal minning started in Nigeria about

70 years ago. 'Since that time over 24.7

million metric stonnes of coal have been

extracted. There is a further estimated

reserve of about 1.5 billion metric tonnes

yet untapped. ;At an exploitation rate of 1

million tonnesjper annum, this could last

over 900 years.

Nigerian ebaT is mined mostly around

Enugu but coal is known to be present in

imo, Behdel,!;Ondo, Benue, Plateau,

Bauchi, Kwara'and Kaduna states. NCC

has four mines operating at Anambra and

Benue states: -The Anambra mines are

underground; those of Benue are open

cast mines. Coal used to be a major industrial sector in the country. In 1958, it

had 3,300 employees. By last year, staff

strength has gone down to about 1,700.

Even the remaining staff are not sure of

their next pay,! Between 1971 and 1982,

about.N112 million investment was made

in the industry..it is estimated that an annual investment of about N172 million is

required bety/een now and 1990 if the demand for coal, projected at about 8

million tonnes, is to be met.

Apart from the problems of poor

finance, unsteady power supply, lack of

equipment and out-moded infrastructural

facilities, one of its major problems is internal strife among the staff.

NCC has been crises ridden since 1984.

The cbal miners union and a number of

other staff have been accusing the general

manager of various acts of improprieties

ranging from victimisation, intimidation,

nepotism and corruption to abuse of office.

In a petition to the minister of mines,

power andjsteel.the union further accused

one S. Orji, then chairman, Enugu local

government, of taking away a number of

the corporation's vehicles in good working conditions at purported auction sales.

Following the union's petition, the federal

ministry of mines, power and steel set up

an administrative enquiryto probe the affairs,of the corporation in August, 1984.

That probe report has so far not been

made public. E.O. Nnaedozie and E.

Mbanugo, in a letter addressed to Tam

David-'West,_ then minister of mines,

power and steel, April 8, 1986, alleged

that all those who gave evidence in the

former probe had been victimised. They

48
claimed some were retired and others

«appointment wrongly terminated. Edwin

Nnaedo, Linus Njose and Andrew Oruegbunnam were mentioned as those .affected. They urged the minister to release

the report and the white paper on it as a

means of stopping the deteriorating situation in the corporation. David-W«st,

however, set up his own -administrative

enquiry but could not release the report

before he left the ministry. ,

The general retirements of 1985 -further'

aggravated the atmosphere of mistrust

among the staff. It was learnt that'=the

federal ministry of mines, power and steel

instructed the corporation to retrench

about 300 of its staff. At that timer/the

•genera) manager was at the Nationalenstitute for Policy and Strategic Studies,

NIPSS, Kuru, on a course. A technical

committee was set up by NCC wftich

recommended 303 employees for retrenchment. When Ugwu came back from

Kuru, he revised the list and increased the

number to 400 — far in excess of what was

recommended "by the committee andthe

federal ministry of mines and power:;

c

Ugwu told Newswatch that the allegations against him were false. He saidVthat

the issue . of selling the corporation's

vehicles had also been investigated by the

ministry. "As a general manager, J will

not do the duties of others."

Ugwu denied paying pensions selectively as a means of punishing his enemies.

The true position, he said,.is that there are

some pensioners who deserve special

treatment like those, whose wives just had

babies and cannot find the money to pay

hospital bills and blind pensioners who

have to be given some money to travel for

treatment. "As for gratuities, we have

forwarded workers' entitlements to the;

ministry and one would have expected

that government would help us by now to

clear all these gratuities because we have

been having serious financial problems,"

he said.

A company with which NCC entered into joint partnership for coal exploitation

is complaining of frustration at the hands

of the general manager. The company,

Continental Energy Company, started

.operation July 1986. A company source

told Newswatch in Enugu that the company'smoves so far to continue operation

have been frustrated by Ugwu. He said

that at a meeting his company had

with NCC, it was agreed that the company

will supply 10,000 metric tonnes of coal to

Nigerian Cement Company, Nigercem,

Nkalagu, at N15.50 per tonne. The H15.50

was. tö: be paid by NCC while it will then

sell directly to Nigercem at N18. According

to-the.source, Ugwusingle-handely changed the management decision by reducing

the quantity of coal allowed the company

fromJOiOOO to 3,000 metric tonnes per

month at the price of N9.00 per tonne instead: of N18.00.

NCC cannot produce enough coal to

satisfy even its sole local customer —

Nigercem. The Oji River coal-based

power; station, when fully reactivated will

neetL a' lot of coal. Other projects will, in

future, require coal. For instance, a 600

megawatts coal power station has been

proposed for Makurdi and Onitsha has

been tipped for a 1,200 megawatts

lignite/gas power station. The Ajaokuta

steel complex, when in full operation

could demand some Nigerian coal.

Although the steel complex is designed to

use only imported coal, it is possible that

up to 30% of Nigerian coal could be used.

The federal government has also directed

that prisons throughout the country

should use either coal or gas. The Project

Development Institute, PRODA, Enugu,

is researching on the possibility of producing coal cookers. Ail these point to the

tremendous potential for the industry.

President Ibrahim Babangida said in.his

1987 budget broadcast that given his

government's desire to diversify the

economy and the increasing- interests in

non-oil export activities, "it is clear that

we cannot afford to abandon the coal industry to its vicious circle of depression

and inaction." The president pledged to

give it a new lease of life this year by providing support fund for rehabilitating it.

That still remains, from all indications, a

promise.

/12828

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49
APPLICATION FOR NEW BANKING ESTABLISHMENTS SOAR

NIGERIA

Ikeja NEWSWATCH in English 2 Mar 87 p 31

[Article by Stephen Agwudagwu]

[Text]

On February 16, Lion Bank Limited owned by Plateau State, commenced operation in Jos. A week

earlier, Nigbal Merchant Bank took off in

Lagos. Eko International Bank'(formerly

Ibile Bank), Orient Bank owned by Lagos

and Anambra States-respectively, are

waiting the right technical partners to join

the emerging crowd. Also on the waiting

list are Gateway Bank ;of .Ogun, Borno

Co-operative Bank, Kwara Bank and a

good number of other private commercial/merchant banks:are in various stages

of readiness to come on stream.

There is an unprecedented rush for

banking licences in Nigeria. As ai June

1986,-41 fresh applications for banking

licences were being processed by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Mohammed Kolerer managing director,

International Merchant Bank, 1MB, told

Newswatch, that new banks are coming

up because Nigeria is still very fertile and

.can certainly accommodate more banks.

"There is still a lot of opportunities and

scope in this country," he said. "Nigeria

is still unde'rbanked." Kolere whose bank

is the technical partner of Lion Bank,

• said thai up to 60 percent .of Nigerians still

do not patronize banks and that of the

currency in circulation, only about 30 percent are in the banking system. The rest

are in private hands. There is therefore, a

need to generate the needed awareness

through the introduction of new banks, he

said. .

Benjamin Wilcox, a management consultant, whose, company, Fisk Associates

Limited, helped to pui together the

package which led to the birth of Lions

Bank, also told Newswatch that in the

•present circumstances no state government can afford not to have a bank of its

.own. "Each state government is trying to

own a bank because ii is to their own advantage." He said that new banks are

necessary because they will stimulate competition which will eventually result in better services to customers.

The present policy iof the federal

government appears to favour the

establishment of new banks as means of

increasing competition and efficiency in

the banking system. Also, the policy

framework is aimed ai limiting the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few.

No one person is allowed to hold more

than 5 perceni of the share capital of any

bank. The official guideline stipulated

thai attempts musi be made to ensure a

wide geographical spread. No new bank' is

granted a licence if all its promoters come

from the ssame sarea. If the bank is a

private one, 13-states of the federation

must, be represented on the board. To get

a banking licence, a firm musi be able to

prove thai there is an area of inadequate

services which ii wants Io fill.

A top government official who preferred to remain annonymous, said thai the

policy of the federal governmeni is to encourage more banks from whai he called

the "east" and the "north" axis because

according to him the "west" and Lagos

axis are already saturated with banks.

Newswatch gathered thai many of ,the

firms which have applied for banking

licences have not been able to meet all the

requirements. Some are finding it difficult

to get the right calibre of managemeni

team as required by the Central Bank. The

rnosi thorny problem is that of finding a

50
foreign technical partner. Wilcox told

Newswatch that foreign technical partners

are now hard to come by because "most

banks abroad are sceptical about the

economic situation in the country.''

United Trust Bank, UBT, a bank which

was earlier granted a licence cannot take

off for this reason. Newswatch was

reliably informed thai the bank, through

the influence of one of its owner's vast

business connections world wide had

managed to get the CFF Bank of France

to back up its application as a technical

partner. On that ground, the CBN

granted it a banking licence. When the

socialist government of Mitterand came to

power in France, it became unlawful for

government banks to enter into partnership with banks outside France. CFF,

therefore, withdrew and UBT is left in the

lurch. The promoters of this bank are,

therefore, in search of another technical

partner.

Ibile Bank, now Eko International

Bank, being floated by the Lagos State

government, has also been unable to

secure a foreign technical partner.

Newswatch gathered thai already the

bank had obtained a licence from the Central Bank, using a local technical partner.

However, when the new governor came

in, it was perhaps decided that a local

technical partner will not be good enough

for the bank. The local technical partner

was dropped and the bank has been searching for aforeign technical partner since

then.

The Anambra State-owned Orient

Bank, has a slightly different problem, initially, the bank had chosen 1MB as its

technical partner but CBN rejected 1MB

on the ground that it is already the

technical partner of Lion Bank.

The problem of foreign technical partners forced the CBN to relax its regulation

which insists that all intending new banks

must have a foreign technical partner.

Kolere said that the Central Bank's policy

on- foreign technical partnership is based

on-the wrong notion that Nigerian banks

cannot provide the necessary expertise.

"We have proved thai we are capable.

Why should we continue to waste foreign

currency in what we can do ourselves?"

Kolere has the answer to his own question with the opening of Lion bank,

February 16. Lion thus becomes the first

bank in Nigeria with another Nigerian

bank as a technical partner.

/12828

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51
SIERRA LEONE

MOMOH LAUNCHES GREEN REVOLUTION AGRICULTURAL FUND

Freetown DAILY MAIL in English 10 Feb 87 pp 1, 8

[Text] In a bid to translate into practical action the political will of

the new order to accord agriculture the highest priority, some six million

leones and one hundred and eighty thousand dollars have been contributed

to launch the Green Revolution Agricultural Fund.

Launching the fund raising at a dinner at the Cape Sierra Hotel, President

Momoh said "as a nation, we should not continue to indefinitely depend on

other people to feed us, we must redouble our efforts in the field of

agriculture to achieve self-sufficiency."

The President whe noted that agriculture is a vital sector in any Economy

said that any attempt to revitalise the economy means that priority must be

given to agriculture.

Dr Momoh emphasised that as developing nations were mostly starved of foreign

exchange, it was essential to develop the agricultural sector which is a sure

means of mobilising adequate foreign exchange resources for the overall

development of the economy.

He observed that at this juncture of the nation's economy, the situation

demands that Sierra Leoneans depart from stero-type approaches to national

issues and adopt methods that will provide an avenue for rekindling the

interest of the community in national matters.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, the Minister of Agriculture Mr Suffian

Kargbo described the Green Revolution as a strategy to revitalise the

economy through a programme of sustained development of the agricultural

sector especially in the area of food production and maintained that the

Sierra Leone's dignity and self respect as a nation lies on agriculture.

Mr Suffian Kargbo confirmed that in view of the worsening rice situation, the

country's staple food, a special programme has been prepared aimed at self

sufficiency in two to three years which is necessitated by the heavy demands

made on the country's precarious foreign exchange position for a large imports

of rice which for the past year alone amounted to more than thirty six

million United States dollars.

52
He disclosed that the Fund will be a revolving fund and an account »ill be.

opened at the National Development Bank of Sierra Leone and administered

by a Board to be appointed in due course and will involve private sector

participation.

Among contributors to the Fund at the dinner were President J. S.Momoh who

contributed thirty thousand leones; Spring Water Company-fif ty thousand

leones; Mr Joseph Bahsoon, thirty thousand leones the FAO Representative,

Dr Bolle-Jones, one hundred and seventy one thousand United States dollars;

SLPMB, One million leones and Member of Parliament Mr Tommy Morgan five

thousand leones.

/12828

CSO: 3400/351

53
SIERRA LEONE

MOMOH ADDRESSES APC ON ECONOMIC ILLS

Businessmen, Black Marketeers Blamed for Poor Taste

Freetown DAILY MAIL in English 5 Mar 87 pp 1, 8

[ Text ] FRH55TDENT Momoh has afÄteOichigh foreign exchange rat« of tfco Leone to particularly the US Dollar u*

a 'deal' between toisinessnien and some bank officials,

' Tnis practice,the head of

state said should be stopped

as it is creating a lot of hardship on tnc citizens of this

country.

Addressing a well attended APC convention irt

Kono last weekend, Trader

and Secretary General of

the party, President Momoh

lamented that in this country today, rice is in short

supplv and «bat fuel scarcity

Kits evcrv sector of the

economy.

But he lambasted Iho

blackmarkcteers who exploit the situation and sell

taesc and otner basic commodities at skyrocketing

prices to customers.

in a« appealing tone, the

Chief Executive called on

all Sierra I.eoncans to exercise sortie patience and to

demonstrate a high sense or

courage to overcome the

present situation which he

described as "very hard.'

He assured all Sierra Lco»

ncans that these trying times

would soon give way to sunshine again in this country,

"We know the problems,

we are aware of the hardship you are undergoing,

and we arc doing everything

to reduce the burden on

you, my people.

"Our destractors who are

engaged in selling basic commodities at cut-throat -prices

might think they are having

a field day, but I can assure

you that very soon we shall

Crush them to bring happiness to you again," the President added

On the fuel crisis, the

Presidentregretted that those

who were supplying crude

oil to this country would not

meet the nation's needs.

H« disclosed last week,

his government signed an

agreement for the supply of

crude oil-with two reputablecompanies, which he hoped

would improve the situation

very soon.

On the question of rice,

the President said that

though government announced late last year that

54
they were going to stop the

importation of rice, they

have discovered that in the

absence of enough importers, they (the government)

would continue to import

rice in the interest of the

nation. ,

The shortage of nee and

fuel, President Momoh added

was specifically due to the

acute shortage of foreign

exchange in the country.

On the interim management of the National Diamond Mining Company,

NOMC, President Momoh

expressed government's satisfaction for the "very very

good job they were doing

amidst all the odds — lack of

necessary spares, capital etc.

In their welcome address

presented by Alhaji S. H- O.

Gborie, MP for Kono Central, the people of Kono

pledged their unflinching

loyalty and support for the

new drive government is

making to improve the economy. ' »,

"We are fully aware Mt

President, that you could

not within so short a time

on your assumption of off'i«

as Head of State, Mtprov«

the economic damages of

over 17 years" A&an Gborie added.

Information and Broadcasting Minister, Eya Mbayo

who chaired the one-day

convention, assured President

Momoh thatthe Kono solidarity with the APC since

the party's inception was

genuin e.

First Vice President F. M

Mimh delivered a massage

of congratulations on behalf

of the Soatnern province,

while minister of Party Affairs, E. "f. Kamara extended

felicitations from the Governing Council and Centra!!

Committee to the convention.

Other speakers at the convention included, Minister

of Health, Wiltshire Johnson

on benalf of the Western

Area, Minister of State

Health Sahr Fania President

of the Kono Branch delivered his annual report and PC

Maituri gave the vote of

thanks.

Paper Calls For Action Against 'Exploiters'

Freetown DAILY MAIL in English 5 Mar 87 pp 1, 8

[Text] That President J. S. Momoh himself has commented

escalating exchange rate for the Leone indicates the leve

concern on this matter. That the President made known hi

banking officials are convincing the exploiters to hasten

inorder to maximise their own profits is a justification

standpoint this paper has taken on the issue in recent is

has always been that the exchange rate being proffered by

Sierra Leone and which is used by the Commercial banks do

actual purchase value or what is now referred to as the s

Leone. A sobering observation is that Le68 (the exchange

certainly purchase a lot more goods (both local and impor

pound sterling.

on the nagatively

1 of national

s view that some

the Leone down

of the consistent

sues. Our point

the Bank of

es not reflect the

ervice value of the

rate then) can

ted ones) than one

55
This is the case regardless of whether the shopping is done in Sierra Leone

with the Leone or Britain with the pound. Imported goods from Europe and else

where are imported goods with the same monetary demands. Period! In a

progressively numerical vein it is firmly estimated that Le68,000 will

purchase a good deal more (including land) than £1,000 sterling. The same

goes for the dollar or deutsche mark of france etc. So, obviously, some

blundering or hanky-pankying is being done with the exchange rate for the

Leone. Which means that those with a good amount of foreign currency abroad

or who have means of earning such hard currency through exports and the like

can easily (and naturally) bring in their forex and change these for cheap

Leones. It is then the easiest thing for these speculators to become Leone

millionaries and simply await any governmental success in the improvement

of the economy when their cash hoard would mean a lot more, considerably.

Since the President commented on the matter in Kono at the weekend, the

official exchange rate for pound sterling has moved from Le68 to Le73 while

that for dollar is still at Le45. The rapidity with which the rates are

made to change is surely a give-away on the situation. And important

arguments that the official exchange rates are being calculated to level

with the parallel rates thereby eliminating the current blackmarket is

quickly stultified by the down-to-earth fact that the blackmarketeers unwaveringly ask for more, immediately the banks announce their fixtures.

What it all means is that the government has no alternative but to pounce

on these exploiters before they ruin the Leone further and bring in more

hardship for the people. A halt must be put to the exchange ratings while a

special committee looks into the situation as a matter of national urgency.

Otherwise we could wake up one morning to find that a pound sterling means

LelOO.

/12828

CSO: 3400/349

56
SIERRA LEONE

JALLOH TO HEAD NEW ECONOMIC INTELLIGENCE UNIT

Freetown SUNDAY WE YONE in English 22 Feb 87 pp 1, 8

[Text] One-time boss of the CID, Mr. Frank Jalloh, is understood to have

been given the new assignment of heading the Economic Intelligence Unit

of the Ministry of Finance, it is reliably understood.

This unit which was announced by the Minister of Finance in his mini budget

will monitor measures which have been proposed by Minister to ensure that

foreign exchange change goes through the banking system.

Dr. Sheka Kanu said then, that the unit "will be manned by seasoned and

experienced security personnel with proven integrity."

In dealing with the problem of foreign exchange shortage, Dr. Sheka Kanu

said this has persisted and is being exacerbated by certain financial

and commercial houses culluding in the fixing of the exchange rate in a

selfish effort to enhance their own margins of profit.

He then went on:

"It seems clear that this practice has been possible because of a deliberate

misinterpretation of what I said during the Budget Speech of June 27, 1986

when I stated that the value of the Leone would no longer bear a fixed

relationship to any other currency.

"But that statement was intended to effect trade liberalisation and not to

encourage profiteering.

"Therefore, if business houses cannot exercise their freedom with responsibility,

Government will have no alternative but to introduce control in order to

protect the public".

He then proposed the following measures:

(i) As a first step...it is hereby made mandatory for all banks to credit

the Leone equivalent of their export proceeds that go to their banks at the

Prevailing rate which they freely determine with the Bank of Sierra Leone.

57
Exporters with legitimate needs of foreign exchange will have first call on the

foreign exchange so received.

(ii) With immediate effect, except for those who purchase commodities with

Leones derived from inward remittances of foreign exchange, all exporters

will have to open inward Letters of Credit which would be lodged with their

own banks or the Bank of Sierra Leone before their exports leave the borders

of Sierra Leone.

(iii) Exporters of alluvial diamonds will now submit their exports for sale

at the public auctions.

In order to avoid hardship among exporters, the Bank of Sierra Leone will

be authorised to advance up to 50 percent of the indicative Leone value of

the diamonds to be exported.

The frequency of the auctions will also be increased.

(iv) Stiff performance criteria for dealers in gold and diamond shall be

strictly enforced.

The Minister of Mines shall submit to Cabinet a quarterly report on the

performance of all licence holders.

(v) Licence holders who do not meet the performance criteria will have their

licences withdrawn and ordered to leave the diamond gold areas.

(vi) The number of licensed diamond exporters will be reduced from its

present number to only five.

(vii) For all other exporters, including exporters of Produce, the time

for the surrender of proceeds is reduced to a maximum of 30 banking days

from the date of departure.

/12828

CSO: 3400/351

58
SIERRA LEONE

FINANCE MINISTER PRESENTS MIDTERM BUDGET

Freetown SUNDAY WE YONE in English 22 Feb 87 pp 3, 4, 6

[Text of speech by Sheka Kanu, Minister of Finance, to Parliament on 10 Feb 87

in Freetown]

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members of Parliament, you will recall that the 1986/87

budget and Economic Policy statement presented to this House on June 27,

1986, made provision for a mid-term review. It is in fulfilment of this

commitment that I am presenting today an analysis of the financial and

economic performance during the first half of the current fiscal year.

Against this background I will present new revenue and expenditure proposals

and a revised budget profile, reflecting our best estimates of fiscal

operations up to June 30, 1987.

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, let me hasten to say that the economic and

financial policies debated and approved by this House in June/July 1986,

still constitute the broad framework of our management strategy.

The new proposals being presented to you are designed to strengthen that

frame work and to reflect the changes which have recently taken place, in

part as a result of those policies, and to take account of the financial

agencies as well as with bilateral creditors.

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, as a result of a floating exchange regime

many basic assumptions, underlying financial planning and management must

necessarily be kept under constant review.

The cost of external debt services and of materials and supplies to carry

out government services changes with every movement in the exchange rate.

Thus with the foreign exchange situation still as tight as it is, government

procurement of goods and services has been more costly than was anticipated

at end-June, 1986 due to the sharp depreciation in the exchange rate.

While expenditures on salaries and wages have largely been contained within

budget allocations, provisions for public debt charges and for goods and

services have been inadequate, hence the expenditure revisions contained

herein.

59
Moreover, due to the poor system for preparation of budgets in some departments, there were some cases of underprovision.

Thus, inspite of the need, to provide more resources to run government

services it is very important that we contain the budget deficit and

domestic bank financing of it, if the resulting monetary expansion is not to

lead to a further depreciation of the Leone.

The revised Budget I am presenting to you, is, therefore, designed to tackle

the basic problem of the economy which is the continuing depreciation of the

Leone as well as to compensate for the short-fall in the actual collection

of some taxes compared with the originals estimates.

New Provisions

Surrender of Export Proceeds to the Banks

Mr. Speaker, Honurable Members, with foreign exchange shortages persisting

in the economy, it is of critical importance to our economic recovery programme

that the bulk of export earnings be repatriated to Sierra Leone, through the

banking system. Negotiation between government and the Bank of Sierra Leone

on the one hand, and registered exporters, on the other, to ensure repatriartion

of export proceeds to Sierra Leone were undertaken to resolve glaring

conflicts between the foreign exchange surrender laws and the separate

contracts between the previous government and exporters.

The negotiations have yielded some positive results, and many exporters

who previously put no foreign exchange in the banks are now doing so.

Yet the problem of foreign exchange shortage in the system has persisted and

is bieng exacerbated by certain financial and commercial houses colluding in

the fixing of the exchange rate in a selfish effort to enhance their own

margins of profit.

It seems clear that this practice has been possible because of a deliberate

misinterpretation of what I said during the Budget Speech of June 27, 1986

when I stated that the value of the Leone would no longer bear a fix

relationship to any other currency.

But that statement was intended to effect trade liberalisation and not to

encourage profiteering.

Therefore, if business houses cannot exercise their freedom with responsibility

Government will have no alternative but to introduce control in order to

protect the public.

To ensure that exporters do not get round the new policy, Government has

decided to implement the following additional measures:

(I) As a first, therefore it is hereby made mandatory for all banks to credit

the Leone equivalent of the export proceeds that go to their banks at the

prevailing rate which they freely determine with the Bank of Sierra Leone

60
Exporters with Legitimate needs of foreign exchange will have first call on

the foreign exchange so received.

(ii) With immediate effect, except for those who purchase commodities with

Leones derived from inward remittances of foreign exchange, all exporters

will have to open inward letters of credit which would be lodged with their

own banks or the Bank of Sierra Leone before their exprots leave the borders

of Sierra Leone.

(iii) Exporters of alluvial diamond will now submit their exports for sale

at the public auctions in orders to avoid hardship among exporters, the

Bank of Sierra Leone will be authorised to advanced up to 50 percent of the

indicative Leone value of the diamonds to be exported.

(iv) Stiff performance criteria for dealers in gold and diamonds shall be

strictly enforced.

The Minister of Mines shall submit to Cabinet a quarterly report on the

performance of all licence holders.

(v) Licence holders who do not meet the performance criteria will have their

licences withdrawn and ordered to leave the diamong/gold areas.

(iv) The number of licensed diamond exporters will be reduced from its

present number to only five.

(vii) For all other exporters, including exporters of produce, the time

for the surrender of proceeds is reduced to a maximum of 30 banking days from

the date of departure of exports.

(viii) Finally, all unnumbered licences are abolished from today's date.

In support of the measures listed above, Government has revived the Economic

Intelligence Unit of the Ministry of Finance.

This Unit will be manned by seasoned and experienced security personnel with

proven integrity.

EXPENDITURE

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, due to the critical nature of certain services,

government, has decided to make additional provision to arrest any further

deterioration in services.

These include provision of ambulance and drugs for the Ministry of Health,

additional provision for the Ministry of Agricultrue in support of the

Green Revolution Programme, Government printing services, provision of

logistical support for the Customs and Income Tax Departments.

Additional provision is also made in this revision of the budget for

vehicles for the Republic of Sierra Leone Military Forces and for improving

Prison Departments Service and Electricity distribution. \

61
Another major factor underlying the revision of the budget is the compelling

need to cushion volnerable income groups from the rise in the prices of basic

goods and services resulting from the float.

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members of parliament, you are all aware that the

Constant Davies Commission has been considering changes in the terms and

conditions of services for Sierra Leone Government employees.

The Commission has now completed its work and has presented its recommendations

to government.

Government is presently studying this report with a view to implementing

those recommendations that are economically practicable.

In the meantime, however, recognising the continuing erosion of rear incomes

of fixed salary and wage earners, Government has provided in the revised

budget an increase in salaries averaging 90 percent.

The awards will be as follows:

Lel662-Le2912--100 percent.

Le2913-Le 10822-85 percent.

Le 10823-Le 15000-75 percent.

Above Le 15000 70 percent.

Wages are, in some cases already being paid at the new rates since the conclusion

of negotiation with the Joint Negotiating Council in November, 1986.

The new salaries take effect from February 1st, 1987.

This provision, combined with the income tax relief contained in the proposal

I will make shortly while costing the government considerable resources will

bring about the necessary partial alleviating of hardship suffered by all

categories of workers since the onset of high rates of inflation.

Resources

External Resources:

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, of Parliament, when I presented that Budget

on June 27, 1986, I indicated that negotiations between the Government and

the International Monetary Fund for a Stand by Arrangement and with the World

Bank for a Structural Adjustment Loan were at an advanced stage.

I

am^harll 1° reP°rt that a Standfe

y Programme for Sierra Leone was approved by the IMF Board on November 14, 1986.

This programme entails expenditure and revenue measures as well as credit

ceilings.

62
Government is doing all within its powers to ensure compliance with the

provisions of the programme.

Following approval of the Government's economic policy programme by the IMF,

a Paris Club Meeting, a group of bilateral creditor governments) was arranged

to consider Sierra Leone's application for debt relief.

I am happy to report to this House that we were able to conclude an agreement

whereby 100 percent of all maturities due in the one-and-a-half years after

November, 1986, would be rescheduled.

This reduces pressure on the budget and on the balance of payments.

The impact of this relief is reflected in the revised budget profile table

as a below-the-line item on the financing of the deficit.

The Government intends to manage its scare foreign exchange in such a manner

as to comply with the terms of the agreement assigned in November, 1986.

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, given the new relationship with our bilateral

and multi-lateral creditors, as we clear arrears, old lines of credits

blocked for several years are being reopened as well as new ones.

Thus the pressure on the balance of payments and on the Leone, while still

considerable, will ease somewhat in the months ahead.

Domestic Resources

Income Tax:

Income Tax collection for the first half of the fiscal year amounted to

Le 74.8m million compared with Le 56.1 million collected over the same period

last fiscal year and Le 56.0 million in the estimates.

This better-than-expected performance was attained inspite of the decline

in Company income tax because of the exceptional performance in collection

of income tax from non-government employees.

This latter amounted to Le 37.8 million compared with Le 19.0 million in the

estimates, more than offsetting the shortfall in Company Income Tax.

The Commissioner of Income Tax and his Staff must be congratulated on their

performance.

Government has therefore decided to provide additional resources in this

budget to enhance the collection and enforcement capability of the Income

Tax Department, especially in the area of Company and Business Income Taxation.

Proposals

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, in my last budget speech I proposed a

reduction in the Surtax rates effective 1st April, 1987 in order to reduce the

63
burden of taxation on captive taxpayers. In the pursuance of this same

objective Government is introducing Legislation to reduce the rate of

personnal tax by an average of 20 percent i.e. 33 percent for incomes

between Le 3,601 and Le 19,200 per annum 25 percent for income between

Le 19,201 and Le 48,000 per annum and an average of 10 percent for incomes

above Le 48,000 per annum.

In addition, Government has decided to increase the threshold of taxation

from Le 2,400 to Le 3,600 per annum.

Therefore, all personal incomes up to Le 3,600 per annum will not longer be

subject to taxation.

This total package would lead to a sizeable drop in revenue but will be counterbalanced by increases in colelction that should result from more effective

tax administration especially in the business sector, and the higher yields

due to increased salaries.

I must emphasize that government is doing all this at this time when the

financial position of the country is most tight.

Indeed this is the first time in fifteen years that personal tax rates have

actually been reduced.

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, collection of Hotel and Entertainment Tax

had baen entrusted to the Ministry of Tourism. Taxes so collected are

supposed to be remitted to the Accountant General for credit to the

Consolidated Revenue Fund.

Up to now neither the Ministry of Tourism nor the Ministry of Finance

have complete records of returns by Hotels in the country.

Needless to day this is in flagrant violation of the existing law.

/12828

CSO: 3400/350

64
SIERRA LEONE

OIL DEALERS SUPPORT GOVERNMENT FUEL RATIONING PLAN

Freetown THE NEW CITIZEN in English 4 Mar 87 p 8

[Text] A number of oil executives in the country have declared their intention

to assist government put into effect a fool-proof fuel rationing system,

and as one of them explained, accessibility to the vital commodity will be

enhanced, blackmarketing eradicated and a healthy partnership between oil

companies and government established.

A particular dealer went to the extent of showing the New Citizen samples

of rationing documents used in and still in use in a West African country,

explaining that the system has not only worked but underlined the well

meaningness and goodwill of government.

The documents, serialsed to correspond with the Insurance registration numbers

of the motorist, carry allocation codes varying from week to week and personalised to eliminate the incidence of fraud.

Purchases from each dealer are recorded and submitted to the Ministry of

Fuel and Power every week.

The conditions of rationing require the vehicle owner to collect his quota

on a specified day after fulfilling the following conditions:

To produce a coupon at a service station demanding only the government

allocated quota and the amount drawn should be endorsed. A drawer cannot

take in fractions.

That no petrol is sold to the holder of a coupon the serial number of which

does not agree with the number indicated on his insurance certificate.

To deter miscreants and others likely to be tempted into subverting the

arrangement, there is provision for an offender to spend six months in jail

or pay a fine or to be sentenced to both fine and imprisonment.

But, said an oil official...We are not sure whether government actually

intends to solve the fuel situation. Nobody can be fooled into believing

we can flood the market overnight. A political wish must be accompanied by a

political will. We know there is counterfeit paper money but is that the reason

why we should use cowries?

/12828

CSO: 3400/352 65
SIERRA LEONE

MANAGING DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL DIAMOND MINING COMPANY SACKED

Freetown DAILY MAIL in English 5 Mar 87 pp 1, 8 -,

[Text] Competent and usually reliable sources have disclosed that government

has taken cognisance of the termination of the services of NDMC Managing

Director Aiah Abu Koroma whose office has been under fire from the local

press in the past few weeks.

Mr. Koroma was appointed Managing Director of the NDMC by the Precious

Minerals Marketing Company, PMMC, that was also manager of the National

Diamond Mining Company and was given the responsibility of representing the

interests of PMMC on the board of the NDMC.

It was also disclosed that when the NDMC board met to decide the fate of the

PMMC as regards the management of NDMC, Mr Koroma was said to have voted

against his employers, the PMMC.

In principle Mr. Koroma should have resigned or be sacked a source said.

In that regard, the PMMC terminated his service as early as August last year.

When the PMMC Management of the NDMC was terminated, Mr. Koroma stayed on

as Managing Director until this week when government took steps to relieve

him of his functions as Managing Director of NDMC, "taking cognisance of the

validity of his termination by the PMMC."

Sources further disclosed that Mr. Abu Koroma was directed to hand over

to the Deputy Mines General Manager, Mr. Mohammed Deen.

/12828

CSO: 3400/352

66
SIERRA LEONE

JAMIL RESIGNS FROM AIRLINES VICE CHAIRMANSHIP

Freetown SUNDAY WE YONE in English 22 Feb 87 p 1

[Text] Business tycoon, Mr. Jamil Sahid Mohamed, has resigned as ViceChairman of the Board of Directors of the Sierra Leone Airlines, while

the future of the company is being actively considered by the government.

Jamil has shares in the company, but there was no indication yesterday as

to whether he would be withdrawing his shares, in view of the latest developments.

It is understood that the government intends to terminate the management

contract under which the airlines has been managed by the Jordanians, and

unconfirmed sources have it that a 12-month notice has already been served.

Sierra Leone entered into an agreement with Jordian Airlines in 1983, for

the management of the Sierra Leone Airlines and the contract was renewable

every two years.

Sources close to the Ministry of Transport and Communications state that

The Irish Airlines--Air Lingus--may be interested in the new arrangements

which are now being made for the running of Sierre Leone Airlines.

/12828

CSO: 3400/352

67
SIERRA LEONE

BRIEFS

NEW SUPERIOR COURT APPOINTMENTS—Eight new judges have been appointed to the

superior courts of the country to relieve the pressure on the bench which

has become apparent in recent years. Justice Freddie Short becomes a Supreme

Court Judge while Justices M 0 TajuDeen and M 0 Adophy become Appeal Court

Judges. Two private legal pracatitioners, George Gelega King and Dr A B

Timbo become Appeal Court Judges. Three Magistrates, Messrs A M B Tarawallie

and L B 0 Nylander, as well as Mrs Laura Marcus-Jones are now High Court

Judges. During a presentation ceremony recently, President Saidu Momoh

reminded the new judges that they carry a grave responsibility to uphold the

rule of law and excute their duties to the utmost satisfaction of all. The

eight judges have already taken oaths of office before Chief Justice S M F

Kutubu who cautioned them not to falter or fail to live up to the high

hopes and expectations of the society in delivering justice. [Text][London

AFRICAN CONCORD in English 29 Jan 87 p 31]/12828

CSO: 3400/332

68
TOGO

GOVERNMENT TO INVEST IN PHOSPHATE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

London AFRICAN CONCORD in English 29 Jan 87 p 37

[Article by Nnamdi

[Text]

Despite falling world prices

for phosphate and a still

more uncertain future, Togo has

decided to press ahead with its

long delayed phosphate project.

This was revealed recently in

the influential London paper*

the Financial Times.

The estimated $500 million

project is to be located 35

kilometres east of the capital,

Lome, at Kpeme, and will involve the development of a new

phosphate mine at Dagbati.

Since the end of a feasibility

study sponsored by the International Development Association (IDA) and undertaken by

the UK's "Chem Systems" over

two years ago, little actual progress has been made.

The studies had recommended a joint venture between

the Togolese Government and

foreign partners who could

guarantee long term markets as

well as provide the project's

finance.

The origins of the project go

back to the early 1970s when

phosphate prices rose significantly.

Between 1970 and 1974 phosphate production rose by nearly

75 per cent, bringing it to 2.6

million tonnes a year.

/12828

CSO: 3400/332

Anyadike]

At the same time, phosphate

prices rose four-fold in 1974,

leading the Togolese Government to launch a major public

investment programme.

By then Togo had become the

sixth largest phosphate producer in the world, and the extent

to which it grew to rely on that

single commodity for its foreign

revenue can be ascertained by

the fact that phosphate now

provides the country with nearly

40 per cent of its foreign exchange.

But by the end of the 1970s

the phosphate market had gone

into a steep decline and exports

fell back to three million tonnes

a year in 1979, and by 1983 to

two million tonnes a year.

• The first of Togo's debt re-

;schedulings date from 1979 as

does the first of the several

subsequent IMF agreements

which the country has entered

into. The country now believes

that it has very little choice

other than to try to revive

flagging output whatever the

world price.

If the project succeeds, there

will be a number of plusses.

First, it would improve the

country's balance of payments

deficit and eventually after a

period of about ten years, provide the country with $60 million a year of foreign currency.

Secondly, there is a "window of

opportunity" in the next decade, as demand is expected to

rise from Latin America.

69

Thirdly, the project is in line

with current government policy

towards local processing of raw

materials. Finally a major investment programme now

would lead to the activation of

lower grade ore that otherwise

might not have been developed.

But this optimistic assessment

by the Office Togolais des Phosphates (OTP), is contrasted by

more pessimistic market forecasts about the success of any

future phosphate project.

Critics point out that the project would lead to a sharp

increase in the country's debt

servicing, already half Togo's

annual export earnings.

Furthermore, it would take up

half the country's investment

budget for several years hence.

Also fertiliser, the main offshoot from the phosphate industry, is due to have its subsidies

removed as part of the country's

World Bank backed economic

recovery programme.

This will lead inevitably to

higher prices, which in turn

could suppress demand. There

are also doubts about whether

the industry could compete with

the already established Senegalese industry in which, among

others, Nigeria, Ivory Coast,

and Cameroon have shares.

The EEC which in the event

will provide the Togolese with

its major market, has also

expressed concern over the high

cadmium levels in the Togolese

phosphate and its toxic effect on

food crops.

But when all is said and done,

Togo seems determined that its

phosphate industry will be expanded, though the halcyon

days of ever escalating world

prices are over.
ZIMBABWE

OUTGOING BRITISH MILITARY ADVISER ON ZNA TRAINING IN MOZAMBIQUE

Johannesburg THE STAR in English 12 Mar 87 p 3

[Text]

HARARE — The Zimbabwean Army was training battalions of the

Mozambican Army in Mozambique, the outgoing commander of

Britain's Military Advisory and Training Team, Brigadier Bob

Hodges, said yesterday. ' .. He hoped the Mozambican officers, most of.them very young

and inexperienced, who were being trained by the British teSm in

Zimbabwe would be kept together when they went back to Mozambique to reinforce the Zimbabwean training effort. i

If that did not happen he feared much of the effort would

have been wasted. , ' Brigadier Hodges, who is going to Northern Ireland on promotion

to major-general, said in a guerilla war situation, the security

forces had to get the majority of the population behind them ifitheir

military operations were to be successful. ' Winning the hearts and minds of the people was fundamental.

Asked if he thought peace was possible in Mozambique without

negotiations between the two sides, Brigadier Hodges said he could,

not add anything constructive to the extremely complicated political scenario.

He did not have too much information on what was happening in

Mozambique but it was apparent there would be no short-term

solution.

Of the Zimbabwean Army, which British officers have been helping to train since independence, he said its members were extremely enthusiastic, had a high standard of discipline, were fit, well paid

and wanted to learn.

There were many talented and well-educated young officers

and morale appeared to be very high.

There was a need for the Zimbabweans to examine their high

command organisation to ensure it was properly balanced and" able

to deal with long-term planning and the logistics of supplying a

force of 46 000.

Referring to the Fifth Brigade, which was initially trained by

North Koreans and subsequently re-trained by the British, he-said

any differences had gone and the battalion was like any other in the

army and operating on British lines.

There was a need for greater

standardisation of equipment

but he realised that it had been

necessary to accept equipment

that was not necessarily ideal.

! Brigadier Hodges said it was

. a big army but the pressures on

it were strong. Forces had to

be deployed in Mozambique and

Mätabeleland but he was not in

a position to know how many

men'were in Mozambique.

' He declined to comment on

whether the Zimbabwean Army

would be a match for any South

African invading force.

/12828

CSO: 3400/348

70
ZIMBABWE

ZCTU PRESIDENT DISCUSSES NEWLY ESTABLISHED SANCTIONS FUND

Gweru MOTO in English [no date] No 52 pp 3-6

[Interview with Jeffrey Mutandare, president of the Zimbabwe Congress of

Trade Unions; date and place not given]

[Text]

MOTO: Last year the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, (ZCTUJ

planned to establish a sanctions

unemployment fund. Could you

briefly explain what this fund is

all about?

MUTÄNDARE: Being a neighbour of

South Africa Zimbabwe is one of

the most vulnerable countries if

South Africa retaliated with

counter sanctions. Moreover, for

historical and geo-political

reasons, Zimbabwe's economy

and trade routes are closely integrated into the South African

economic system. Therefore

thousands of Zimbabwean

workers will be adversely affected if trade with South Africa

grinds to a halt. Transport companies will be amongst the most

affected, and the thousands of

workers who will lose their jobs

will, need help, as well as their

dependants.

In view of the suffering likely to

be caused by sanctions, the

ZCTU has decided t? establish

the sanctions unemployment

„ fund/ inorder to cushion workers

against the hardships that will be

caused by sanctions.

MOTO;' When is this fund actually going

to be established?

MUTANDARE: The fund will be established this month (January). Before

the end of last year it was decided

by the national executive of the

' , , ZCTU in December that every

' union that is affiliated to the

ZCTU will contribute $200 per

month. Since there are 30 unions

in this country we will be able to

raise at least $6 000 every month

and we are going to open an account with a commercial bank.

We expect the private sector also

to contribute into this fund. We

also envisage approaching

government to levy all workers in

the country in a way similar to

the drought levy, and all this

money will go into the sanctions

fund.

MOTO: Who will administer this fund?

MUTANDARE:It was agreed that this fund

will be administered by a board

of governors. This board will be

composed of government, the

University of Zimbabwe, the

Zimbabwe Institute of Development Studies, the private sector

and the ZCTU. And it will be

upon the decision of this board

to administer the fund the way it

* sees fit.

MOTO: Is each union going to pay $200

irrespective of its size?

MUTANDARE: It was agreed that each

union would pay at least $200

and that larger unions that can

afford more will pay more. For

example the Associated Mine

workers Union is going to pay

more than $200.

MOTO: Does this mean that each union is

going to get this money from its

coffers or are the unions going to

levy their workers?

71
MUTANDARE: No union is going to levy

its members. This $200 is to

come from each union's bills

which members pay to the

unions. We feel that $200 is quite

a reasonable amount in view of

statistics given to us which show

in very conservative figures that

between 23000 and 35000

workers may lose their jojs.

MOTO: Is this fund going."to benefit

union members only, or

everyone made redundant as a

result of sanctions?

MUTANDARE: This is a national issue so

the fund is going to support-nonmembers of trade union as well.

. The fund is there to ensure that

all workers affected.by sanctions

will not be removed from their

houses, and that their children

are not sacked from school. .We

feel bad that some workers will

lose their jobs, but sanctions

have to be imposed because as a

V labour movement, we believe

sanctions* are the only peaceful

way by which to cause change in

South Africa. If there was an

alternative we could have

resorted to that but sanctions remain the only non-violent way of

bringing change in South Africa.

MOTO: So in the event of a worker getting redundant will he get a fixed

amount of money or will be get

an amount that is proportional

to the size of his family?

MUTANDARE: The union is not going to

be responsible for this. It will be

up to the board of governors de'-

. pending on the viability of that

industry, whether to buy it or

maybe to diversify into something else or maybe to start a

cooperative or whatever. What

we are trying to avoid is workers

starving or suffering from malnutrition because of sanctions.

MOTO: So is the ZCTU doing anything

to educate the workers so that

they may appreciate the hardShips sanctions will cause?

MATANDARE: The ZCTU has mounted a

' massive educational campaign in

this regard. We are trying to

educate the workers that they

understand the reasons why

government believes sanctions

have to be imposed, and the

hardships that will arise as a

result.

MOTO: So should the sanctions fund

fail, what alternative is there?.

MUTANDARE: The other viable alternar

tive at the moment would be to

seek government support t.hat

workers be levied so that we have

a sanctions levy. The private sector also has to be levied. This will

be on the same lines as the

drought relief levy. There is

nothing impossible about it and I

think government will be positive

in this regard because it is in the

national interest that we avoid a

possible disaster.

MOTO: The Prime Minister has said

Zimbabweans must be prepared

to work extra hours for no payment when sanctions are imposed. Do you .think'workers are

prepared to do this.

MUTANDARE: Well all I can say is that I

agree with the PM that workers

have to sacrifice because of our

political commitment to South

Africa and I believe thafworkers

have to work harder and have to

. realise that they will suffer as a

result of this decision to impose

sanctions.

MOTO: Sanctions are likely to result in

some companies having reduced

< working time and consequently a

reduction in wages. Would this

not cause labour unrest since

workers are always expecting a

wage increase rather than a

reduction?

MUTANDARE: Well this is where the"

question of education comes in. I

do believe that this will cause

,' some problems. However this is

not the'first time workers in this

country have worked reduced

hours. We had problems during

the recession when people had a

short working week. It is a matter of the labour movement explaining to workers some of the

problems which arise as a result

of sanctions. If we agree that

the government has to impose

sanctions, and we know that

there are going to be hardships,

those are some of the hardships

sanctions are going to cause:

losing jobs, working short

weeks and so on. All these peo-

^ pie are going to be assisted by the

fund. So the sanctions fund is of

vital importance to the labour

movement. Our ' fraternal

organisations in Europe, Asia

and elsewhere have indicated

72
their enthusiasm to put money

into this fund. We need quite a

large sum of money. What we

are trying to do is to make sure

that we don't have a labour versus state confrontation as a result

of sanctions. This is where the

ZCTU is playing a very responsible role. Because the people are

going to lose their jobs as a result

of sanctions they are going to be

hostile. "Why should I lose my

job? Why should I not send my

children to school?" an ordinary

worker will ask. What has South

Africa got to do with us? others

will ask'. This is why we are trying

to cushion this possibility of a

hostile reaction from people who

are going to lose their jobs. I

think this is quite a noble cause

indeed.

MOTO: Don't you think sanctions will

also result in price increases

without a corresponding wage increase?

MUTANDARE: 1 don't think so because

this fund will sort of

neutralise things and also the

labour movement is now in the

wages advisory board. 1986 was

a bad year but lei's hope that in

1987, particularly with sanctions

looming, government will be

more cooperative with the labour

movement. What we need is to

work together. There should be

an alliance between the government, the party and the labour

movement and that if anything

arises, the labour movement is.

taken into the party and government's confidence. The labour

movement has to be taken as a

partner in development. I think

that is very necessary that we are

consulted in some of these national issues, because some of

these issues like sanctions have a

direct impact on the movement

and the workforce. We feel that

the state will lose nothing by inviting us or by consulting us on

some of these national issues

which have a direct impact on the

working class.

MOTO: Does the ZCTU have any

solidarity with unions in South

Africa and other SADCC countries particularly in view of sanctions to be imposed against the

racist regime?

MUTANDARE: Yes. Zimbabwe is the

chairman of the Southern

African Trade Union Co-ordinating Council (SATUCC). The

sanctions issue is being discussed

extensively and it is going to be

co-ordinated at a regional level.

The Southern African Trade

Union Co-ordinating Council is

going to form a sanctions

monitoring committee. This

committee will be charged with

the task of insuring that there is

no company or institution within

the SADCC region which is sanction busting. It is also going to

ensure that South Africa may not

use puppets and we start having

some countries selling things

~\ which we know they do not produce. For example, if country X

in the SADCC region starts selling diamonds to Zimbabwe and

so forth when we know that

country X has no diamonds then

this sanctions monitoring committee will be responsible for

drawing to the attention of all

governments • within SADCG

such action. So this is where the

sanctions monitoring committee

is of paramount .importance. It

.ensures that every SADCC country is seriously imposing sanctions against South Africa.

MOTO: Do you think all companies in

the private sector will support

government in imposing sanctions against South Africa?

MUTANDARE: I am not in an authority

position to speak on behalf of

the private sector but common

sense will dictate that some of

them might not be happy with

the imposition of sanctions

against South Africa. The information we have in our statistics is

that South Africa has got investments in Zimbabwe worth

over one billion US dollars

and a large number of South

. African subsidiary companies.

Therefore one would imagine

that the subsidiary companies

will not be happy to have sanctions imposed on their parent

companies.

Most of these subsidiaries get instructions from South Africa.

73
They also get equipment and

other services from South Africa

and I wouldn't see such companies being in the fore-front

demanding that Zimbabwe

should impose sanctions.

MOTO: In the event of such companies

trying to frustrate workers, has

the ZCTU taken any steps to

protect workers?

MUTANDARE: The ZCTU will form

. sanctions monitoring committees, particularly in industries

that we suspect might have some

under-cover dealings with South

Africa. These committees will be

answerable to the national sanctions monitoring committee.

MOTO: In view of sanctions being imposed in South Africa the unemployment situation is likely to worsen

here in Zimbabwe. Is the ZCTU

doing anything to try and help

ease the unemployment situation

in the country?

MUTANDARE: The ZCTU has been

devising many ways of creating

employment and some of the

ideas and concepts cannot be

divulged at the moment since we

are still holding discussions with

the government on the issue. The

ZCTU has since employed a full

time economist who is working

full time. We have had recommendations from the Zimbabwe Institute of Development Studies

and the University of Zimbabwe

and we arc compiling a report on

the ways employment can be

created in the country. From the

labour movement's point of view '

we feel that apart from some

massive financial injection into

the economy from outside, there

is money in this country for

creating employment and details

of these proposals will be made

public when we have completed

discussions with government.

Meanwhile several companies

contacted by Moto on sanctions,

declined to comment on the subject. Most companies said they

could not reveal their strategies

because this would be counter

productive. The Ministry of

Trade and Commerce also said it

could not disclose its strategics

on sanctions because this would

only be to the advantage of the

enemy. . A spokesman for one transport

company, Cargo Carriers, said

the company will be forced to

park its trucks and to send off its

workers when sanctions are imposed. *-*

74
SOUTH AFRICA

GOVERNMENT TO CUT SUBSIDIES FOR SCIENTIFIC COUNCILS

Johannesburg BUSINESS DAY in English 19 Mar 87 p 3

[Article by Gerald Reilly]

[Text] PRETORIA - The multi-mlllionrand government subsidisation of

scientific councils could be slashedby

expanding services paid for by the

private sector.

That is why, earlier in the week,

National Education Minister F W de

Klerk said the councils would have to

earn a larger part of their funds

through contract research and services. The councils affected are the Coun*

cil for Mineral Technology, the CSIR,

the Medical Research Council and the

SABS.

SABS director-general G P Verster

said yesterday that during the past

few years the bureau had earned up

to 70% of its funds from the private

sector

He said: "Our view is the bureau's

activities and investigations must be

paid for by those benefiting from the

mark scheme, testing inspections and

other services."

Basically the aim was that taxpayers' money should not be used to

subsidise those services. However,

the preparation and publication of

specifications which did not directly

benefit any particular organisation

was a national responsibility, where

State subsidisation was justified.

Verster said there was still scope

for expansion of the bureau's services

to the private sector. He said: "We

strive continually to become more

independent of State aid."

A CSIR spokesman said in 1985

about 26,3% of total income derived

from services to. the' private sector.

That was a 7,9% growth compared

with the previous year. In 1985, 120

- research projects were undertaken

for the private sector.

He said a decision had been taken

to make the council more industry

orientatedso private sector contracts

could be expected to increase.

/12828

CSO: 3400/337

75
SOUTH AFRICA

HEAD OF BROEDERBOND URGES DIVERSITY AS COMMON GROUND

Johannesburg THE STAR in English 25 Feb 87 p 11

[Interview with chairman o;f the Broederbond Pieter' de Lange by Susan Pleming;

date and place not given]

The chairman of the Broederbond and the outgoing

[Text] rector of the Rand Afrikaans University, Professor

Pieter de Lange, believes South Africa needs a society in which the diversity of the different groups is

not a danger, but a common ground.

In an interview this week, Professor de Lange said

if there could be some common ground between the

different groups there would be a better chance of

finding a political solution in South Africa.

He refused to be drawn into the debate about the

Government's reform performance, saying he did not

wish to be drawn into "pre-election in-fighting".

The National Party has been rocked by the resignation of several disillusioned members who have

lashed out at the party's lack of political vision.

The Broederbond was drawn into the row last month

when a working document was made public which canvassed a constitutional plan in which blacks would be in •

the majority in central Government. Professor de

Lange did not wish to elaborate further on the document apart from saying that it would be discussed by

Broeder "study groups".

Professor de Lange will resign from his influential

position as head of RAU in June and will then lead

an investigation into the state of universities in South

Africa. This report will be completed by January 1988.

These were Professor de Lange's responses to questions put by The Star.

• Could you discuss your attitude towards the elections? ..._*....

"I do not think that I should become involved in

any discussion on the elections or on a pre-election

position. I am the rector of this university and I do

not think that it is my role to take a political stance."

•Could you discuss your views on the election from

your position as the leader of the Broederbond?

"I would not like to bring the Broederbond into the

political arena unnecessarily — in the party-political

sense anyway. The Broederbond deals with broader

issues and the political parties deal with party issues."

•If the Broederbond does not look at party-political

Issues then what does it do?

76
"The Broederbond looks at Afrikaner interests in

terms of a broader South Africa. We do not ask about

people's political affiliation when they join the Broderbond. They are free to express their own views.

We do not prescribe their political affiliations. There

may, in fact, be members of the Broederbond who

are members of the Progressive Federal Party."

• Could we discuss the working document made public

last month on the Broederbond plan for a future South

Africa? '

"I do not want to be drawn further into this debate. All I can say is that the working document will

lead to further study within the Broderbond through

study groups and so on. There has been a tremendous

amount of feedback, but 1 will not discuss this."

•What are your views on the academics at Stellenbosch University who have voiced their opposition to

the Government? .

' "I do not wish to discuss my views of this. I do not

want to become involved inprerelectlon in-fighting."

• Your predecessor, Dr Gerrit Viljoen, is now the ;

Minister of Education and Development Aid. Do you

have any political ambitions?

"I have no political ambitions whatsoever."

• Why have you decided to retire at the age of 61

Instead of at 64 when your term as principal should

have ended?

"I felt that I could contribute something to the

improvement of a greater understanding and mutual

trust between the various groups in South Africa. It

will not be a media-exposed undertaking. I will look

at the middle spectrum."

•Which organisations and people will the middle spectrum Include? In your informal discussions will you

also include organisations such as the AWB and the

ANC?

"I cannot elaborate on what the middle spectrum

will cover. But I would exclude those groups who

seek solutions through violence. I am convinced that

there is a strong groundswell of 'moderates'. Eventually this group will take the initiative. At present

the intiative is very fragmented. I will not expand on

this and I will remain"vague."

•What is necessary If solutions are to be found to

the problems In South Africa?

"We need more contact and personal knowledge of

each other. We need to develop a broader base of

mutual trust. We have terrible stereotypes about each

other" (Professor de Länge would not elaborate on

these stereotypes).

/12828

CSO: 3400/337

77
SOUTH AFRICA

BRIEFS

CENTRAL GOVERNMENT PAY INCREASES--Central government's pay increased by 30%

in the quarter to September 1985, compared with the last three months of

1986. Central Statistical Services (CSS) said the Rl,03bn earned in the

three months to September 1985 ballooned to Rl,34bn in the October/December

quarter last year--an increase of R302,5m. And between September 1985 and

last December, the numbers employed by central government increased by 20 922

to 403 071. CSS said total employment by public authorities, excluding the

homelands, for the quarter to December last year had increased by 4,47„,

compared with the same quarter in 1985. Between December 1985 and December

1986, the numbers working for central government increased by 5,67„;

provincial administration 5,87»; local authorities 1,37,; and sundry

statutory bodies 37». [Text][Johannesburg BUSINESS DAY in English 19 Mar 87

p lj/12828

CSO: 3400/337

78
SOUTH AFRICA

INCREASING STATE REPRESSION AGAINST PEOPLE'S COURTS SEEN

Johannesburg WORK IN PROGRESS in English Feb 87 pp 37-39

[Article by Glenn Moss]

The state Is again acting against

[Text] people's courts, and has charged a

number of alleged participants with

sedition, assault and furthering the

aims of the banned African National

Congress.

One of the hardest hit is

Johannesburg's Alexandra township, where

at least 15 community leaders and

activists face sedition charges in four

separate trials. Township-based people's

courts as a system of local law will b«

at the centre of these proceedings.

In most instances, the accused have

been in detention for extended periods,

some since the declaration of the

national state emergency on 12 June

1986.

SEDITION AND TOWNSHIP RESISTANCE

Sedition is an unusual charge in South

African political trials. One of the few

occasions where it has been invoked

by the state in the last 40 years

followed the Soweto students' uprising

of 1976-77. Inthat case, 11 prominent

leaders of the now-banned Soweto

Students Representative Council were

charged, largely on the basis of their

organisation of student meetings,

demonstrations, protest marches and

79
stayr-at-home campaigns. While all 11

were convicted of sedition, only four

served jail sentences, including nowprominent United Democratic Front

leaders Murphy Morobe and Sechaba

Montsitsi.

A number of elements must be present

before an accused can be guilty of

sedition. These include an unlawful

gathering which aims to undermine state

authority by defying or subverting the

authority of the government. However,

sedition does not involve an attempt to ';

overthrow or coerce the government, and

this makes it a less-serious charge than

high treason.

Legal sources claim security police

investigated charges of treason against .'

the Alexandra group, but AttorneyGeneral KPO von Lieres und Wilkau felt

all the elements of treason were not

present in the operation of people's

courts. Interestingly, Von Lieres was

the prosecutor in the Soweto Students

Representative Council sedition trial,

which was the first time such charges

had been brought since leaders of the

1946 mine workers' strike faced ..

allegations of seditious conduct.

In the Alexandra cases, general

secretary of the Metal and Allied

Workers Union, Moses Mayekiso (38),

faces sedition charges together with

Richard Mdakane (28), Paul Tshabalala

(21) and Obed Bapela (28). Bapela is

currently on trial in Uitenhage, charged

with furthering the aims of a banned .,

organisation. This follows the raising ^

of South African Communist Party and ..,

Soviet Union flags at the July 1985 ^

funeral of murdered Cradock leaders.".,',/,^

Matthew Goniwe, Fort Calata, Sparrow ^

Mkonto and Sicelo Mhlauli.

Mayekiso, who heads the Alexandra

Action Committee, was detained by police

in June last year. His detention sparked

an international and local campaign for

80
his release. He and his co-accused are '

still in custody.

In a second case Hike Beea (45),

chairman of the Alexandra Civic

Association, is also charged with

sedition. Beea, detained by police in

October last year, is also still in

custody. Speculation is that he has been

charged separately because of longstanding differences between the

Alexandra Civic Association and

Mayekiso's Action Committee.

In a third sedition trial, Steven

Morake (23) and Aaron Vilikazi (21) face

charges arising from the operation of

people's courts in Alexandra. They and

the other Alexandra accused may be in

for a long wait in jail before their

trials begin. For the state has

indicated it intends testing the issue

of people's courts in yet another

Alexndra-related sedition trial before

proceeding against the others. In this

trial, David Mafutho and seven others

face charges in the Rand Supreme Court

in April in a sequel to a police raid on

"an Alexandra people's court last year.

If the attorney-general uses his power

under the Internal Security Act to

prohibit bail while the David Mafutho

trial takes place, then Mayekiso, Beea

and their co-accused will spend many

further months in custody before trial

proceedings even begin.

TRIALS AND PEOPLE'S COURTS ''>-??

While the sedition charges are thusfar

the most serious to be levelled against

participants in people's courts, there

have been a number of lesser charges in

the past few months.

In Cape Town, 52 emergency detainees

from Guguletu were charged with

undermining the State's authority by

conducting people's courts during May

and June last year. In the first of

these trials, six accused were convicted

81
of assaulting two sisters. Evidence in

the trial revealed that a people's court

hearing had been convened at the Nyanga

Art Centre because some township

residents felt one of the sisters had

not been punished severely enough by a

Lahga magistrate. She was given a

suspended sentence after being convicted

of stabbing another township resident in

the arm.

A people's court convened to try the

two sisters sentenced them each to 60

lashes with a sjambok. A video-recording

made a week after the lashings, showed

bruises and small open wounds on the

buttocks and thighs of the sisters.

The chairman of this people's court

was sentenced to five years

imprisonment, with three years

suspended; three members of the-court

who lashed the sisters received fiveyear jail sentences, with half

suspended. The 'clerk of the court' was

jailed for five years, three-and-a-half

of which were suspended. And the ** y

complainant, who charged the sisters in

the people's court, was fined R500 and

sentenced to a year's imprisonment,

suspended.

The remainder of the Cape Town accused

may still face charges of sedition.

In the Pretoria magistrate's court,

six Soshanguve residents were charged

with attempted murder after a people's

court allegedly sentenced another

township resident to 400 lashes.

Humphrey Mkize claimed a group of

'comrades', including the six accused,

tied him to a pole and accused him of

burning tyres belonging to the

•comrades', stealing alcohol, and

killing someone. He was then taken to a

Soshanguve school where a people's court

hearing took place. He and three others

were sentenced and lashed.

Mkize claimed he was forced to take

off his trousers and lie on a table with

his hands tied under the table. The six

82
/12828

CSO: 3400/347

accused and several others gave him 400

lashes. Some doubt exists as to the

truth of these allegations, as all six

accused were acquitted in this trial.

In a new development, the state has

charged five Atteridgeville residents

with furthering the aims of the ANC byparticipating in a peopled court.

Police raided this court, which was

dealing with a minor dispute between two

youngsters, one of whom broke a pair of

spectacles belonging to the other. The

two were called before a court, and told

to resolve their differences amicably.

They were later called before the court

again and reprimanded for shouting abuse

at each other in the street. During

these proceedings police stormed the

church hall where this was taking place,

and arrested those present.

Documents confiscated by police during

the raid included notebooks stamped

»Black Rock 3 Area Committee', allegedly

belonging to the UDF-affiliated

Atteridgeville-Saulsville Residents

Organisation.

While these cases all deal with

alleged participation in people's

courts, the Alexandra sedition trials

are expected to cover a far wider range

of issues, including area and street

committees, and people's power.

83
DAILY TOURS SOWETO SCHOOLS, SEES OPTIMISM

Johannesburg BUSINESS DAY in English 12 Mar 87 p 7

[Article by Sipho Ngcobo]'

SOUTH AFRICA

[Text]

THE feeling of despair and frustration in black education circles

seems to be fading, the teaching

profession appears no longer in distress and black pupils' parents are

less worried about their children's

academic futures.

At least for the moment, teachers seem relieved at high attendances and the absence of turmoil

at schools plagued by unrest last

year.

But there is still concern at the

slow pace of catching up on a lost

academic year — and violence has

left teachers in an authority vacuum, clearly afraid of challenging or

reprimanding pupils.

Business Day made a two-day

tour of Soweto schools recently.

Those plagued by the worst class

boycotts, and which were centres

of continuing unrest last yöar, appear to have a new lease of life.

At each school visited, an atmosphere of normal learning was evident. Teachers confirmed satisfactory pupil attendance. The lowest

attendance figure given was 80%.

"Amazing! Amazing!" is how one

teacher described the sudden

change at her school.

Her amazement is not surprising

— during a visit to the same school

last year, Business Day found

pupils had turned the premises into

a shebeen. Pistols in hand, they

staggered around the school yard,

hurling insults at girls and waving

weapons in their teachers' faces.

One teacher was seriously assaulted by a schoolboy.

Countrywide class boycotts last

year involved about 300 000 pupils

protesting against the proclamation of the state of emergency and

the detention of scores of pupils,

and demanding the withdrawal of

troops from the townships.

The areas affected most seriously by boycotts and subsequent unrest were the Witwatersrand and

the Eastern Cape.

On average, 260 schools out of

more than 7 300 were disrupted at

any one time. The disruptions resulted in the closure of 54 schools.

The dramatic change can be ascribed in large part to the efforts of

the National Education Crisis Committee, the UDF, the Azanian People's Organisation, the Azanian Students Movement, the Azanian

National Youth Unity and others

who joined in calling on pupils to go

back to school.

Visible signs of last year's turmoil at schools remain in shattered

windows and other damage to

property.

Although relief is widespread,

teachers at some schools disclosed

there were stifl problems, albeit

not as serious as last year's.

These teachers pointed out that

. the pupils' attitude towards learning was still negative.

T

'We are still experiencing difficulties, especially from boys who

sometimes come to classes drunk

and those who move in and out of

classes as they wish.

Others simply run away whenever they are called into classes for

lessons, said one teacher, who was

marking exercises supposed to

have been submitted a month earlier.

Other teachers expressed concern about petty clashes among the 1 pupils.

| Granted, they all appear prepared to learn normally this year.

But there is so much fighting

among them. Girls are daily victims of beatings by boys, and the

most painful thing is that we're

scared to reprimand them," one

, teacher said.

Generally, teachers could not

hide the fact they are scared of

; pupils.

Said a disgruntled teacher: "I

have decided to adopt a look-andavoid attitude. Under no circumstances am I prepared to risk my

life and reprimand a schoolboy if

he does anything wrong. I would

rather just keep quiet."

/12828

CSO: 3400/347

84
SOUTH AFRICA

TRIBE ATTEMPTS TO RECLAIM GOLD-RICH ANCESTRAL LANDS

Johannesburg THE WEEKLY MAIL in English 13-19 Mar 87 p 7

[Article by Mono Badela] , '

[Text] THE people of Rooigrond have"

always wanted to go back to the land

of their birth — Machaviestad, near

Potchefstroom.

Bulldozed and "resettled" in

Rooigrond by the South African

government 16 years ago, they have

long hankered for the land that was

given to their forefathers by Paul

Kruger before the Boer War.

But now, they have an even greater

reason for wanting to go home —

there's gold in their soil. Lots ofit.

Recent surveys by government

engineers found a workable seam in

the earth beneath Machaviestad, and a

mining company is presently erecting

a mine on the land once owned by the

Barolong ba Modiba people.

"It's our land. And the gold is ours,

too," Chief Simon Makodi, a

descendant of the famous Chief

Moroka, told the Weekly Mail this

week.

"We want to go back. We want to be

home, we want to be happy, and we

want to be compensated for our 16

years of suffering."

The chances of this happening —

given the South African government's

record in issues like this — are less

than one in a million.

And that, perhaps, is what makes the

story of the Machaviestad people such

a tragic one.

Officials of the Transvaal Rural

Action Committee (Trac) say it

epitomises the breakdown of

relationships in South Africa which

lead to unnecessary human suffering. .

It is a story of hospitality, sympathy

and assistance being met with betrayal

and oppression.

The Rooigrond people, once a selfsufficient community, are now

perhaps one of the poorest

communities in the country. They

have suffered, and are prepared to

suffer just a little bit longer, in the

hope that justice' will one day prevail,

that "the white man's word is his

bond," and that the government will

repay its historical debt to these

people.

As Chief Makodi says: "Our

community is destroyed. We are

desperate now, we want to go back to

our fertile land. We want nothing

more — but nothing less."

A visit to that desolate place called

Rooigrond, 10 kilometres from

Mafikeng, shows just why these

people are so keen to leave.

They live in crumbling mud houses,

with stones to keep down their

corrugated iron roofs.

There's a goat here, a hungry cow

there.

As we move slowly between the

muddy homes, Chief Makodi explains

how they came to be moved here, back

on August 3, 1971: "When they got

ready to take our land in

Potchefstroom, they started by closing

our school. They said they wanted to

put up an army camp."

85
Taxes were levied on animals and

houses, parts of Machaviestad \yere

fenced off, animals were impounded,

and in 1966 the school was

deregistered and forced to close.

Roads to Machaviestad were also

closed.

Chief Makodi has been largely

responsible for keeping the history of

the tribe alive. An avid historian, he

has kept newspaper clippings, letters

and documents over the years and

wallpapered the wall of his home with

them — literally writing his history

on his wall, from those sources and

from oral tradition.

That history'tells him one thing:

Machaviestad is his land.

"We were given the land,

officially," he explains. "When the

Voortrekkers moved north we

provided them with shelter. They paid

us back by giving us the land."

The Machaviestad people stem

from the Modiba clan of the Barolong

tribe of the Tswana-speaking people.

In the 1830s, Vootrkkers'arrived in

their area and their leaders, Potgieter,

Maritz and Uys, asked Chief Moroka's

brother for a temporary place to stay.

The response, according to Makodi,

was one of hospitality — and the

Böen were allowed to settle on the

banks ofthe Mooi River.

Later, some Boers who had moved

to the Thaba'Nchu area approached

Moroka to help them retrieve cattle

that had been grabbed by the Zulu

Chief Mzilikazi. In return, Moroka

asked that the Voortrekkers recognise

his herdsmen and chiefs, and not

interfere with them or their land.

Moroka died in 1840, but

apparently this agreement was

officially accepted after 1885 in a

pachskontrak (peace contract) which

recognised Ntsinogang (Moroka's

brother) as chief of the area, and said

he had a right to the land.

This all-important document has

since gone missing. And the verbal

agreement proved insufficient for the

Nationalist government, which in

1958 issued an eviction order and

forced the tribe off their land. The

government said the Baralong had no

title deed for the land* and therefore

they were "squatters".

In 1968, the Department of

Cooperation and Development agreed

to give them alternative land —r

"implicit recognition of our land in

Mar.haviestad." savs Chief Makodi.

We rejected the offer Because the

land was too small and we were

convinced we would win any case in

court."

Then, in August 1971, government

trucks arrived to move them. Some

families were moved to Rooigrond,

while others were taken to Ikageng

township outside Potchefstroom.

"It still saddens me when I think of

those days, slowly watching our

homes disappear," the chief recalls.

His one wish now is to go back to the

land of his birth, where he and his

people can preserve their tradition.

"I am aware . that I may not see

Machaviestad again, but my attitude is

like that of the children of Israel — I

will go on praying, hoping that I will

find my rightful place. I pray that

subsequent generations will ultimately

i have this dream realised." —TOPS

/12828

CSO: 3400/336

86
SOUTH AFRICA

MIDDLE INCOME BLACKS MOST AFFECTED BY UNREST

Johannesburg BUSINESS DAY in English 20 Mar 87 p 4

[Text] MIDDLE-INCOME blacks,are most

affected by political unrest because

empathy for "the cause of blacks"

creates turbulence in their lives, an

Independent Market Appraisers survey says.

Black men and women in Durban

and Johannesburg from a wide spectrum of lifestyles were surveyed over

a period of 12 group discussions.

Of the middle-income segment,

with earnings of R700-R1000 a month,

the report says: "Out of all segments

of the black population, this group

feels they bear the brunt of political

unrest and, while they sympathise

with the 'cause of black people' as a

whole, they experience the greatest

turbulence within their lives and

minds."

Such people are unhappy about the

quality of education given to their

children at black schools.

Parents are, however, unwilling or

cannot afford to send children to

multiracial schools.

Infant black children are looked

after by their grandmothers or sent to

a crccnc

Although middle-income blacks

embrace Western lifestyles, they are

disturbed by the disappearance of traditional marriage customs, the increase in divorce and by the incidence

of unmarried blacks living together,

the survey says. .

On housing conditions, they do not

like the prospect of being grouped

together with other groups that have

an inferior standard of living.

On average they live in small, fourroomed houses. Although they suffer

from overcrowding, they make their

houses as attractive as possible.

/12828

CSO: 3400/347

87
SOUTH AFRICA

BRIEFS

600 SATS WORKERS LEAVE UNI0N--About 600 Sats workers in Cape Town have

resigned from Sats' Black Trade Union (Blatu) to join the Cosatu-affiliated

SA Railway and Harbour Workers' Union (SARHWU). SARHWU is not recognised

by Sats, which has a closed-shop agreement with Blatu. [Text][Johannesburg

BUSINESS DAY in English 17 Mar 87 p 1]/12828

CSO: 3400/336

88
SOUTH AFRICA

CORRESPONDENT LOOKS AT GOVERNMENT'S COUNTERREVOLUTIONARY STRATEGY

Johannesburg THE STAR in English 16, 17, 18 Mar 87

[Article by David Braun]

[16 Mar 87 p 11]

[Text]

Approaching Alexandra by

air shocks the senses more

than it would when coming

in on the ground. One moment you are gliding over

large beautiful homes set in

lush gardens amid tennis

courts, stables and sparkling swimming pools, then

the earth below you suddenly turns brown and scabrous

as if it had died.

Here on a 484 ha estate just

outside Johannesburg and

Sandton live 110 000 souls in the

most appalling squalor imaginable.

In the old part of Alexandra

there are no tarred roads. The

rain has gouged huge dongas

everywhere. The people live

cheek-by-jowl in crumbling

homes or sagging shanties,

sometimes hovels built from

bus shelters.

Children run between goats,

chickens and the occasional

cow. In small clusters their

parents sit on upturned paraffin tins. Some people are selling food spread under faded

garden umbrellas amid the >

filth and the flies.

They represent about half

the inhabitants of Alexandra.

The other half are away working in the surrounding factories

and garden suburbs of the

neighbouring white areas.

The people of Alexandra are

caught up in a war. There is no

sound of guns. This is a desperate psychological battle for the

hearts and minds of the people.

Ultimately, what happens to

the people of Alex could determine the fate of all of South

Africa.

* * •

Over in Pretoria, 40 minutes'

driving time to the north of

Alexandra, the Government's

strategists have identified the

nature of the war and developed certain tactics.

"We don't expect you to accept or agree with the information we are going to give you,"

said a senior official, "but it is

important that you know that

this is the information the Government uses to form its perceptions and its decisions."

An intelligence officer outlined the broad onslaught

against the country. The enemy

was not homogeneous, he said,

but it did have the common

aim of overthrowing the Republic.

The Government was evidently extremely well informed about the activities of

particularly the ANC in this

regard. There were numerous

details of fronts and strategies

deployed by the organisation to

achieve its purpose.

"Slovo and the ANC regard

themselves as the world leaders in revolutionary warfare in

a country like South Africa,

with its degree of industrialisation and trade unions," a leading official said.

"We regard ourselves as the

leaders in countering this kind

of revolutionary war."

* • *

Not all of Alexandra is a slum.

There are parts along tarred

roads where neat houses stand

in small proudly kept gardens.

The standard is akin to Mayfair in Johannesburg.

The streets are heavily patrolled by military troop carriers although there is no sign

or atmosphere of last year's

endemic violence in the township.

Along the walls of buildings

revolutionary slogans and graffiti abound. "Viva ANC" has

been painted over to read

"Viva SADF". A sign proclaims

"AK-47 Street".

Many streets appear to be

closed with coils of razor wire.

• • •

"There are three causes of revolution," a Government man

explained: "The communist

revolution (the struggle between East and West), national

revolution (war oi liberation)

and national class revolution

(between haves and have-nots).

South Africa has the roots of

all three causes."

The ANC, he said, saw the

white cities and towns as the

front because they were the

89
nerve centres where the Government operates.

The black cities and towns

were regarded as the political

base areas of the revolution.

The self-governing states

such as Lebowa were the rural ,

area for guerilla bases, while

the white platteland was the

Government's rear areas suitable for partisan attacks.

South Africa's international

borders were the second front.

"There are four escalating

operational phases to a revolutionary war," said the official:

"Underground organisations

are created to indoctrinate and

mobilise the masses terrorism

and intimidation of the masses

with urban terror attacks on

Government organisations,

guerilla war with attacks on

government forces in rural

areas, and full mobile war

against Government forces.

"The ANC has not provided

for the fourth stage in its strategy because it believes that as

the Government becomes more

irrelevant the alternate structures take over and eventually

the Government will capitulate."

South Africa was currently

in stage one and stage two of

the revoltuion, depending on

the area, he said. ,

• * * ]

The security forces, particular- j

ly the security police, have not ''•

wasted time in Alexandra since '

the state of emergency was de- >

clared last June. vI

The entire leadership cadres

of the major three revolution-V

ary front organisations in the\

township, they said, were in de- *

tention, or had fled, or, in one

case, was dead (allegedly murdered by Azapo supporters).

A number of people who set

up a "People's court" and an

alternate police station had

been detained and charged

with sedition alternatively subversion.

At the height of the operation of these structures in the

township, according to the security police, the number of

Alex residents using the Government police station dropped

by 60 percent. This has since

been reversed.

The military have played a

strict role in the township.

After the emergency was declared Alexandra was cordoned off (only a few streets

are still open to facilitate monitoring of people entering or

leaving) and the entire town

was searched block by block.

For a while every vehicle

was searched, now this is done

at random as a deterrent.

The township's stadium was

"occupied" by the security

forces for months to ensure

there was no place for mass (

assembly.

It has since been "handed

back" to the people, but only

for soccer.

The last "serious unrest" in

Alexandra, according to the security authorities, was last

May. There is also apparently

virtually no incidence of stone

throwing,

A security forces survey of

2 772 residents found 87 percent

v thought there had been a de-

\ cline in intimidation while

93 percent wanted the security

forces to stay.

• * •

The Government's strategists

have advised that strict security action is not sufficient to roll

back the revolution.

' "The counter revolutionary

organisation is complex to

train people and ensure good

government.

"If you want to win you must

have a philosophy, strategy and

plan .. j it is all about welfare

and security — and the masses

in the middle."

The most effective way to

counter a revolution, tjie official said, was to befät the

enemy at his own game.,

. This implied three things:

dealing with the revolution,

handling the revolutionary situation, doing something about

the future.

"You look at the things that

are making people unhappy

and you exercise good government by redressing those

things which are exploited by

the revolutionaries.

"You protect the major target, that is the system of Government from the bottom up,

you protect the masses from

intimidation, and you operate

against the revolutionary organisations to demonstrate to

the masses that you are in

charge and that you have the

power to protect them and. the

' Government system.

"The main thing is to sort

out the objective conditions

1 and give the people a vision of

a new South Africa that's worth

1 working for, so that you can atI tract even the revolutionaries."

j ( * * *

A massive reconstruction programme is underway in Alexandra. R75 million has already

I been made available for urban

renewal and the total project

;' should be completed by May

1990.

Storm-water drainage, electrjcity, waterborne sewerage, a

1 witef supply, tarred roads and

street lighting have been or are

irli the process of being installed.

Since the emergency Alexandra has got its first post office

and first clinic. Hundreds of

. houses have been built and a

technical training centre is on •

the drawing boards.

On the other side of the Jukskei Kiver, on land donated by

the Johannesburg City Council,

a completely new suburban

area is to be constructed with a

stadium, three schools and elite

housing.

'Although the town council

remains collapsed and residents do not sit on the "Mini"

, (the combined Government

Joint Management Centre

! which is co-ordinating the revamping of Alex), they are in-

\ völved in decision-making via

a| number of steering committees.

'. In a few weeks an intensive

"oil spot" campaign is to be

launched in the township when

in a specially designated area

virtually every Government

department will be involved in

ä crash upgrade and education

programme.

I

90
! As the oil spot is completed

. it will eventually link up with

': other areas similarly treated

*' until the whole township is rejuvenated and the people have

been "pulled back to our side".

' , The whole of Alexandra is

itself an "oil spot" for other

black townships on the Reef

and in the country as a whole.

' * • •

"Prerequisites for successful

counter revolution," said the

spnior official, were: "There is

no substitute for good governfnent, that is one which represents the people, is responsive

,-to their feelings, and provides

the mechanism whereby their

,; basic aspirations can be rea- '

i lised.

"Secondly, the people must

know the Government is good

and dedicated to their welfare,

' so Government must explain to

[17 Mar 87 p 15] them what is going on."

I Text] The essence 0f t^ Government's sweeping counter-revolutionary strategy amounts to

hijacking the revolution for itself.

It is a bold move for the

highest stakes which the authorities are confident of getting

away with.

Government strategists understand only too well the revolution

in the country's black townships is caused by the exploitation of

appalling living conditions and the frustrations of political impotence.

The revolutionary forces are easily able to promise the masses

improved quality of life and political liberation.

If the Government forces are to achieve the target they have

set themselves, the winning of the hearts and minds of the masses,

they are going to have to be seen to be delivering on the same

promises.

Government planners believe there are four ways to win the

revolutionary onslaught they have identified:

•Exterminate the revolutionaries or resettle the civilian popula

tion. Neither of these will work as the revolutionaries are not

readily identifiable from the masses while massive resettlement

. would be counterproductive in the circumstances.

•The military or police approach. Conventional use of these forces

is not successful unless the revolutionaries make mistakes or the

, security forces have the element of surprise.

Unconventional use of the security forces (for example, the

use of undercover personnel and vehicles) nearly always succeeds,

unless the revolutionaries have advance warning or the security

forces are not properly trained.

; • Surrender or seeking accommodation with the revolutionaries.

The Government firmly rejects these options.

• Stealing the thunder of the revolutionaries. This is the option that the South African security forces have opted for;

91
To beat the revolutionaries at their own game, as one senior strategist recently put it, the Government must first protect the authority of the State and the masses from intimidation.

At the same time drastic action must be taken to eliminate

the underlying social and economic factors which have caused unhappiness in the population and which have lent themselves to be

exploited for revolutionary purposes.

Ultimately, this will all fail unless the Government can create a

political system to satisfy the basic aspirations of the people and

engender faith in their future.

The latter aspect of the strategy is up to the politicians who are

supposed to be working on negotiations with leaders of all race

groups to work out a viable political system to the satisfaction of

all.

The first part of the strategy, the "security and welfare" aspect; is being dealt with by means of massive undertaking known

as the National Management System.

Through this system virtually every Government department is

co-ordinated to administer the black townships.

At grassroots level this takes the form of Minii Joint Management Centres (JMCs) or "Minis".

The Minis report to sub-JMCs which in turn report to JMCs

which in turn again are co-ordinated by the Joint Security Staff.

On the Witwatersrand, for example, the JMC concerned is

responsible for the region which coincides with the Witwatersrand

Command of the SA Defence Force.

Four sub-JMCs report to it: West Rand, Soweto, Johannesburg and East Rand.

Minis are operational in each township, such as in Alexandra.

Representatives of the Minis meet in sub-JMC meetings to

compare progress and experience and convey reports ande requests upwards.

Each Joint Management structure is representative of the security forces and welfare departments. The representatives elect a

chairman for each structure, and in practice this has meant a

soldier or policeman has been selected to serve as head of each

joint management structure.

At the pinnacle of the system the entire operation is monitored functionally and as a whole. The security forces and the

relevant welfare departments work together but also separately

according to their own specialised functions.

The system makes provision for involving the private sector

by way of liaison forums, such as the steering committees which

involve the residents of Alexandra in local decision-making.

Minis operate in townships where local government structures

have collapsed and also in areas where there has been no unrest,

but where unrest might reasonably be expected.

The main role of a Mini is the exercise of "good government" as well as co-ordinating the components of welfare and

security.

The Mini operating in Alexandra, a black township of 110 000

people outside Johannesburg, is a good example of how the system

works on the ground.

It comprises three sub-committees: Veikom (security committee,

including the Police, SADF and the municipal police), Semkom

(constitutional, economic and social committee, under the chairmanship of Alexandra Administrator Mr Steve Burger), and Komkom (communications committee, considered to be vital to the

success of the entire operation, under the chairmanship of a

representative of the Bureau for Information).

The Mini, further, has a Joint Intelligence Section, under the

leadership of the Security Police.

92
There are no blacks serving on the Mini in Alexandra, although in areas where black local authorities are still operative these do take part in the joint management system.

The security committee meets every 24 hours to analyse occurrences of the previous day, discuss mistakes and plan and assign tasks for the next period.

In the seven months since the Mini was set up the combined security forces have applied their maximum power to

the situation in Alexandra to restore law and order and sta-

, bility to the township.

This involved the use of thousands of personnel to seal the

township and then to search it from one end to the other in

search of people wanted for any crimes and for weapons.

. Stone-throwing and petrol-bombing was stopped by sheer numbers of security force personnel on patrol.

The security forces further installed high-mast street lighting while World War Two searchlights are used to light up the

township from nearby high ground.

The work of Semkom complements these heavy security actions

by upgrading the duality of life in the township as a matter of

urgency.

A R90-million upliftment and urban renewal programme has

been initiated with a view to completely upgrading the town

by May 1990.

Community organisatons have been included in decision-making

of this committee by means of steering committees which meet

regularly at the Alexandra town hall.

Komkom's major role is keep the residents of Alexandra fully

informed of developments and to seek maximum co-operation.

It also has a propaganda role, mainly by use of cartoon strips

which depict radicals as rats which do and say stupid things, while

the nice guy character "Alex" has all the right answers.

The overriding philosophy of the Mini-JMC system, according to one senior official, is to exercise good government "which

must see and be seen".

[18 Mar 87 p 15]

It is generally accepted, even by the Government, there can be no

[Text] lasting solution to South Africa's problems until the majority of the

country's people are accommodated politically to their satisfaction.

In a nutshell this must imply that every South African, no matter

what colour, should, if he has the ability and qualifications, know

that he or she could become State President.

Anything short of this would not be genuine power-sharing and

would fall far short of the political reform necessary to defuse the

revolution. j

The Government has on numerous occasions by way of key Ministers and the State President stated that it accepts power-sharing to

the highest executive and legislative level but on the basis that no

one group should be in a position to dominate the others.

It has also bandied about such concepts as "one-man-one-vote in a

unitary state", although this must fit in t<j the overall plan of nondomination. /

Essential to the Government's approach is the legal definition

and maintenance of distinctive groups wjitich would form the building blocks in the future political system.J'1

This is a point of major, controversy of course, but thus far there

is no sign that the Government is considering abandoning this.

The authorities resufes to spell out what kind of constitutional

model is envisaged to accommodate the different groups in such a

93
way that they share power equally while not being in a position to

dominate one another.

The reason often given for this is that it would be prescriptive of

the Government to suggest something when in fact the system

should be the product of give-and-take negotiations between the

groups in the first place.

However, behind the scenes, much thought and energy is being

given by the Government's top constitutional planners to this problem.

One concept gaining currency in the minds of many of the Ministers is that of "concurrent majorities".

' The idea is that each group has its own elections for its constitutional decision-making forum to run its own affairs.

The majority party or group in each forum is then represented on

an equal basis on a separate forum, such as a Council of State, to

deliberate and take decisions on matters affecting everyone.

The great dilemma'for which there are no answers is how such a

forum will ever take decisions which will not be construe domination of one or more groups.

. There is talk of granting each group represented on the general

affairs forum a veto, but that would make administration unwieldy

and perhaps certain decisions might never be taken because consensus cannot be achieved.

There is talk of a three-quarters majority being sufficient to

override a veto, but Government politicians reject this because that

would open the way tö a ganging up of a majority against the

minority.

Then there is talk of some form of deadlock-breaking institution

(a Constitutional Court or some form of President's Council), but,

this would not resolve the problem of avoiding one group dominating the others.

Cabinet Ministers privately admit they have no answers to this

conundrum, but nonetheless the Government feels that the solution

to the country's political problems lies on the road of concurrent

majorities.

An interesting facet of Government approach to this model is

what is being suggested for the control of the State Presidency and

_the various Ministerial Dortfolios. _

Quite clearly, whoever controls the Presidency and the portfolios

of Defence and Law and Order is in effect in a position of domination over the others.

Two schools of thought are being applied to this problem.

One is that each portfolio, including the Presidency, should be

made as powerful as possible, taking up as much authority as each

one can.

Then each position should be stripped of its authority on the basis

of maximum decentralisation to own affairs administrations of

each group.

The second, more bizarre idea, is that a council representative of

each group should in effect manage each portfolio while a figurehead Minister or State President would rotate on a regular basis

(much the same as the Chairmanship of the Security Council of the

United Nations rotates among its members).

These plans are of course by no means final because theoretcially

the future political system must be the result of negotiation.

They do, however, give an indication of how the Government

would be prepared to negotiate only to the point of equal powersharing and not beyond.

Equal power-sharing would presumably be the minimum that the

non-enfanchised communities would want — but is there such a

/12828 thing

?

CSO: 3400/342

94
SOUTH AFRICA

BLACK SASH CONFERENCE FOCUSES ON THREE NEW FACES OF APARTHEID

Municipal Police

Johannesburg THE WEEKLY MAtL ih English 20-26 Mar 87 pp 6-7

[Article by Ruth Becker]

[Text]

Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown

offices' received "numerous

generalised complaints" about the

behaviour of municipal police from

residents in the outlying areas of

Jansenville, Alexandria, Kenton, Fort

Beaufort and Adelaide.

"Whether or not all the allegations

can be proven in court," the paper

continues, "it has become abundantly

clear to us that the municipal police

are deeply resented by the

communities they are supposedly,

^ intended to serve." I

Some of the names used to describe

the municipal police are given as an

indication of their community

standing: magodolos (the opposers),

mangundwane (wild rats), amachaka

or "Zulu boys" and "green flies" after

their army green uniforms.

Despite enabling legislation in 1977

and 1982, it was not until the first

State of Emergency in 1985 that the

government decided to go ahead with

establishing the municipal police.

The timing, says Walker, "makes it

very clear that the municipal

policemen were being called into

existence to supplement the tightly

stretched resources of the SADF and

SAP in the townships. At the same

time, they also fitted in with the

government strategy of devolving

more and more of the responsibility

for running the troublesome black

areas onto co-opted black

intermediaries."

Recruits for the municipal police

force in the Albany .area appear to be

members of right-wing vigilante

groups, unemployed and poorly paid

people and former political activists in

anti-apartheid groups. (The last

category was alleged in Grahamstown

and Alexandria, although the process

is unclear.) ...„._..

Municipal police are trained for

three months. Unlike the "special

constables" (kitskonstabels),

established late last year to augment

riot police, they are not a division of

the SAP. Consequently a complainant

in a potential civil suit has only 90

days, and not 180 as in action against

the SAP, in which to institute legal

action. (This applies to any legal claim

against the municipality.) This makes

legal action "somewhat more

difficult", the report notes.

There are different levels of pay

within the municipal police force,

depending on educational

qualification and rank. In the Eastern

Cape the lowest starting salary for a

municipal policeman is almost R225

per month. Although in absolute

terms this is very little, "by

comparison to most other wages being

offered in the small towns of the

1 Eastern Cape, it is a lot of money"

according to Walker.

Of note is that the municipal police

were not defined as a "force" in the

Emergency regulations gazetted on

' June 12, 1986. They were included in

the definition of "security force" in

the Emergency regulations gazetted

on December 11 last year, relating to

the control of publications and

reporting. One effect of this is to

prohibit any news or comment on

their deployment which "to a

i reasonable bystander would appear to

, be for the purposes of security action"

! as defined in the proclamation.

95
Influx Control

Johannesburg THE WEEKLY MAIL in English 20-26 Mar 87 pp 6-7

[Article by Jo-Ann Bekker]

[Text]

OPPOSITION to Botshabelo's imminent incorporation into QwaQwa is

likely to make the Free State human

dumping ground a flashpoint this year

— much as Moutse's resistance to

incorporation into KwaNdebele

sparked bloody clashes in 1986,

This was the view advanced by the

Black Sash's Transvaal Rural Action

Committee (Trac) in its report to the

Black Sash's national conferencein.

Cape Town last weekend.

Already, 105 students have been

detained for protesting against j

incorporation, Trac says. Buildings in I

Botshabelo — literally "place of ':

refuge" although it was originally i

called Onverwacht, "unexpected" —

sport anti-incorporation graffitti.

Social and economic conditions in

the country's largest resettlement

area, about 40km from Bloemfontein,

seem set to add fuel to the

dissatisfaction. Unemployment is

high, the few who have jobs at

factories in the area earn as little as

R12.50 a week, the housing shortage

is acute and squatter, settlements are

mushrooming.

Last year, Trac predicted the bloody

outcome of mounting tension in the

Northern Transvaal Moutse: areas,

which were incorporated into

KwaNdebele by a stroke of Pretoria's

pen. Resistance increased during the

year — drawing together groups as

diverse as the youth and tribal princes

— as the date of KwaNdebele's

"independence" drew closer. A threemonth anti-independence civil war

resulted in the KwaNdebele

Legislative Assembly formally

ditching independence. But Trac says .

there are strong indications the j

scheme is being revived. , Botshabelo, with a population of

between 500 000 and 700 000 — and .'

plans to increase it to 1,5-million —

has far greater human resources than.

its foster-parent-to-be, QwaQwa.

"A glance at the map illustrates the

absurdity of the incorporation

proposal,"• the Trac report states.

"Onverwacht is separated from

QwaQwa by a large' tract of

Bophuthatswana, the Orange Free

State and Lesotho. It makes sense only

in the light of rumours that QwaQwa

is next in line for independence after

KwaNdebele."

The committee also points out that

the incorporation of Moutse, an area

with well-developed infrastructures

compared with the string of

commuter villages of which

. KwaNdebele comprised, were "quite

clearly the prize, offered to

KwaNdebele for : accepting

independence"..

Other threatened communities

which were highlighted at the Black

Sash conference included:

•Khayalitsha, where there is a

threat that inter-group violence —

like the "Witdoeke" vigilante attacks,

widely alleged to have been supported

by the authorities, which razed

Crossroads last June — could erupt in

the Cape Town township's newest

sites.

Western Cape vice-president

Margaret Nash said that "for survival

'little people' have had to align

themselves on short or longer term

bases with one or other grouping, but

alliances and divisions tend to be

complex, dynamic and unstable as

operative forces compete for the

support or compliance of the masses."

In Khayalitsha's B and C sites, local

leaders who were involved in

negotiations with the Cape provincial

authorities, have garnered "terrifying

power" by alloting sites to. their

followers.

•Lawaaikamp, the neglected 40-

year-old shanty town near George's

coloured township where about 5 000

face removal to the nearby Sandkraal

rudimentary site-and-service scheme.

• Three tribal trust areas in

KwaZulu's Valley of a Thousand Hills

where residents face removal because

' of the planned Inanda Dam.

•The Eastern Cape, following the

removal of the Langa and Despatch

communities to the growing)

Tjoksville ("place of the trampled")!

tent town in Uitenhage's Kwanobuhle

township. The townships of Walmer,

Soweto, Red Location and Zwide are

threatened with being transplanted to

the Motherwell resettlement area,

20km from Port Elizabeth.

Meanwhile, Trac reports, the

Transvaal communities of

Machakaneng, Brakläagte, Bloedfontein and Geweerfbntein face

incorporation into Bophuthatswana in

terms of the Borders of Particular

States Extension Amendment Bill.

"Many of the issues \ye raised at last

gear's (Black Sash) conference such as

incorporation into the homelands and

vigilante activity are still largely

unresolved problems. In addition, the

threat of forced removal is by no

means over.

"In the context of the current State

of Emergency, rural struggles are

being waged under much more

difficult conditions than before," the

I Trac report said.

96
Removals

Johannesburg THE WEEKLY MAIL in English 20-26 Mar 87 pp 6-7

[Article by Ruth Bekker]

[Text]

BLACK municipal police forces,

established in many townships around

the country last year, are increasingly

responsible for policing township

residents in the Eastern Cape and

indications are that their targets are

political opponents, especially young

people.

In a paper presented at the Black

Sash National Conference in Cape

Town last weekend, Cherryl Walker'

notes the Black Sash offices in Port

Elizabeth and Grahamstown have

received "numerous complaints and

allegations of abuse against the council

police" in the past year. At the same

time the number of complaints to their

offices concerning the SA Police and

SA Defence Force, which were "so

prevalent in 1985", decreased

considerably.

According to Walker, this supports

the view that these two forces have

withdrawn "into a more supervisory

role and that much of the immediate

responsibility for crushing antigovernment organisation and

reasserting control over the townships

has been devolved onto the black

municipal police and the local

authorities they serve.

"By far" the most complaints

received in the Eastern Cape offices

concerned alleged assaults by muni-,

cipal police on township residents.

They raise "serious questions" about

discipline within the force and the use

of violent methods such as beatings,

torture and midnight arrests in

municipal police operations, she says.

M Few if any municipal police

"arrests" seem to have led to prosecutions in their area. In most cases the

person arrested would be "unceremoniously released" after being held

for anything between several hours

and two days, "during which time he

or she may be interrogated and

reportedly suffer various abuses".

. The cases brought to their attention

have been referred to lawyers for

civil claims for damages, but since

none has yet been completed, they are

sub judice and could not be fully

reported.

In addition to specific cases, both

BLACK South Africans might be free

to move about these days, but unless

they can find housing they're not

allowed to stop moving, according to

reports from the Blach Sash national

conference held in Cape Town on the

weekend.

On July 1 last year all the pass and

influx control laws were abolished

and a new structure of control was

introduced. Now there are "insiders"

and "outsiders", as the Johannesburg

advice office report describes it.

. Life outside is tougher than ever for

one-third of the country's black

population.

Life for those, now South African

citizens, who are already inside or

have enough money to buy themselves

in, is dependent upon housing; one is

allowed to settle if one has

accommodation. But the housing

situation is critical, with backlogs

thousands of families long, dating

back for 20 years — and the waiting

lists are now largely irrelevant. "If

you can pay you will get a house," the

report states. "If you cannot pay, you

won't."

The outsiders are too poor to

maintain themselves inside, or too

poor to move themselves in from

outside. These "aliens" include the

nine million people who lost their

citizenship when the TBVC

"homelands" (Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei) took

independence.

'The problems are the the same old

problems with the same tragic human

face. The resolution or otherwise of

the problems is now based on a whole

new system oflaw," the report states.

Two new laws govern the

inside/outside dichotomy.

One is the Identification Act, which

provides for the issue of a common ;

identity document to everyone who is.';'

"permanently resident" in South '

Africa.

These small books do not indicate?

race. But everyone has two identity?

numbers — the one in the identity'

book, and a birth entry number in the

population register. The birth entry

number shows race in the twelfth

digit, numbering from "0" for whites:

to "9" for blacks, with other races inbetween. So the population register

still classifies everybody according to

race.

97

Various problems with the new "just

one little book" identification system

came to the attention of the Johannesburg advice office soon after the book

was launched.

Applicants, who are supposed to be

able to go to the nearest office of the

Department of Home Affairs, were

i referred to the old Bantu Commissioner's office, initially because the;

white, coloured and Indian offices did

not have fingerprinting equipment.

They now have the equipment, as

everybody is obliged to be fingerprinted for new identity documents,

but black people are still being referred to the commissioner's offices.

"There is no longer any such legal

entity as a Bantu Commissioner, but in

practice the same old officials who

were Bantu Commissioners are now

officials of the Department of Home

Affairs and are doing the same old

things in the same old way," the report

states.

In February this year the office

received a sudden späte of complaints

from different parts of the country

that old people were told they could

not apply for a pension until they had

a new ED. One explanation given was

that the computer had been reprogrammed to deal with the new 13 digit

identity numbers and could no longer

cope with the old ones.

The report also questions whether

pass raids "really are a thing of the

past", given information reaching the

Johannesburg office.

p According to the Act, the report

notes, "'An authorised officer... may

at any time request any person

reasonably presumed to have attained

the age of 16 years to prove his

identity without delay ...' but it

amounts to the same thing if

policemen are going to stop ordinary

people in the streets in an arbitrary

fashion."

The "insiders" — those who are

entitled to the new identity document

— can move about freely and look for

work without having to obtain

permission first. They can apply for

Unemployment Insurance Benefits

and do not have to return to a remote

! "homeland" to claim benefits. This

means they can actively seek work

during the six-month period during

which the benefits are paid.

i They are free to move — but not to

settle. The report sums it up by

i saying: "If you can pay, you will get a

house ... Control over land and

housing which has always been one of
/12828

CSO: 3400/341

the most important influx control

mechanisms continues to be so and

will increase in importance now that

other mechanisms have been

repealed."

In theory, the mechanism which

deprived TBVC "citizens" of their

South African citizenship has been

repealed with The Restoration of

South African Citizenship Act* which

became law on July 1,1986.

But the administration of the Act "is

so far removed from the State

President's promise (to restore

citizenship) as to bear almost no

relation to it", according to the report.

On February 2,3, the Minister of

Home Affairs told parliament a total

of 2 909 people had regained their

South African citizenship in 1986.

According to the Black Sash, there are

at least nine million South Africans

who lost their citizenship between

Transkei independence in 1976 and

Ciskei independence in 1981.

The Minister also reportedly said ho

applications for restoration of

citizenship had been refused — but in

the first two months of this year,

reports of refusals reached the Black

Sash advice office in Johannesburg.

They found the two main reasons

given were that homeland leaders,

with the exception of Ciskei, were

stalling and the term "permanently

resident" is under dispute.

The Department of Home Affairs

says a person's place of permanent

residence is where the family lives.

According to the Black Sash, lawyers

maintain that if a person has been

residing in South Africa since the

"homeland's" independence, that

person is permanently resident.

The report notes that many people

from the newly independent

homelands have worked in South

Africa's cities for "many, many

years", failing to bring their families

because the law did not allow it.

"While recent changes made this

possible, they could not obtain family

accommodation."

98
SOUTH AFRICA

CBD CHAIRMAN CRITICIZES PLANS TO CONVERT BLACK TOWNSHIPS

Johannesburg THE STAR in English 27 Feb 87 p 10

[Article by Nigel Mandy], i ,

[Text]

There is now ä proposal to make

black townships into city states. The

big question: will the idea work?

A city state can be an excellent

device to promote good and locally

responsive government in an economically bound region. Hamburg in

West Germany is a good example. It

has enjoyed internal antonomy since

1189 and in 1871 became a constituent state of the German Empire.

This long tradition of self-sufficiency has greatly helped Hamburg

develop an outstanding metropolitan

transport system and other services.

,i Such autonomy would be advantageous for Greater Johannesburg as a

whole — but to create one artificially for its black townships alone

would be disastrous.

Consider the accompanying map

of the Witwatersrand, on which the

black townships are shaded in.

These scattered "islands" might indeed be linked constitutionally into

something equivalent to a localised

"Bophuthatswana archipelago"

(complete with casino?) for central

government voting purposes: but for

rational local government they

could never be anything other than

integral parts of the multiracial metropolis of |he Central Witwatersrand. Mere population numbers of a

particular racial group are irrelevant.

Dormitory satellite towns such as

Sandton, Randburg, Roodepoort,

black Soweto, Indian Lenasia and

coloured Ennerdale have no separate viability. With the core city of

Johannesburg they form an interdependent system.

Take Alexandra and Soweto, for

example: they are separated by long

distances and have few shared interests. Their inhabitants converge

from different directions on central

workplaces each day to earn their

livings and to enjoy higher order

metropolitan facilities.

The greatest problems of each

municipality within a metropolis

are the ones which they share: land

use, roads and transport; public

health and safety, work opportunities, human resource development.

What happens in one affects all the

others.

Retention of separate local authorities is desirable for many reasons, but the need for greater formalised co-operation and resourcesharing grows more urgent every

day. The dependence of the black

municipalities is greatest because —

for historical and economic reasons

— their own resources are grossly

inadequate to meet their needs.

The essential unity of metropolis

tan areas has been recognised in

theory by the Government. Attempts made to put this into practice include J;he creation of metropolitan transport advisory boards,

draft guide plan committees and the

imminent,establishment of regional

services councils (RSCs).

99
During January three RSC are^ts.

- East, Central and West - weije;

demarcated on the Witwatersrand.

Their boundaries are shown on .the,

map, together with the area of Jhe

Jomet Metropolitan Transport Adyi,,

sory Board (which closely resembles

the Draft Guide Plan area for th^

Central Witwatersrand). ir.»

Jomet's area, proclaimed in 197,8,

was identified by careful studies

which took ipto account the trans-,,

port "watershed" within which large

numbers of people commute daily,

across municipal boundaries to and

from their places of work. It encompasses an area bounded by Rand1

burg and Sandton in the north,

Kempton Park/Edenvaje/BedforoV

view/Germiston/Alberton in the.

east, Soweto/Lenasia in the south

and Roodepoort in the west.

This economically-bound area

produces one quarter of South Afri-i

ca's wealth. The problems which it;

experiences have in large measure

been aggravated by misguided central government interference from

afar.

But converting it into a city state!

— with retention of municipalities

as a lower tier of local government;

— would be an excellent move. >• >

/9317

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100
SOUTH AFRICA

STELLENBOSCH REJECTS MIXED JUNIOR COUNCIL

Johannesburg BUSINESS DAY in English 2 Mar 87 pp 1, 2

[Text]

A PLAN for a multiracial junior town

council in Stellenbosch has been

squashed by the Town Council amid

angry claims from the organisers that

the decision was made on racial grounds.

The junior council, which was to have

included members from two "coloured"

Stellenbosch high schools, was planned

by the Stellenbosch Junior Rapportryers

last year. It was turned down at a secret

Town Council meeting early this year.

The chairman of the StellenbqsSch

Junior Rapportryers, Leon Geustyn, said

yesterday there was "absolutely no way"

the organisation would consider going

ahead on a whites-only basis.

"In fact, we met the council informally

before their meeting because we wanted

to tell them that," he said.

Geustyn said the attempt to establish a

Stellenbosch junior council was part of a

national project to establish the councils

on a wider basis.

)

«The council was all for the Idea last

year until it became obvious that the two

coloured schools in Stellenbosch would

be involved," he said. M

"We originally discussed the project

with the last mayor, Mr Piet Lombard,

who gave it his backing. The concept was

also approved by the council in June.

His organisation handed a detailed

constitution for the junior council to the

town council in November. At its first

meeting this year, the council conditionally withdrew it approval of the scheme

and accepted a motion to review the

decision.

The plan was turned down while the

council met in committee without any

reasons been given.

Geustyn said there could be no reason

but a racial one for the decision.

The mayor of Stellenbosch, Dr E P S

Taljaard, was, not available for comment.

/9317

CSO: 3400/294

101
SOUTH AFRICA

EXPERTS LINK ESCALATING CRIME RATE TO POLITICS

Johannesburg THE STAR in English 4 Mar 87 p 15

[Article by Craig Kotze],

[Text]

Every day at least 10 people

are; murdered on the Witwatersrand — more than 2 800

for the year ended June 1986.

This means that as many

people die at the hands of criminals on the Reef in a year as in

New York, Los Angeles and

Chicago together.

Every 24 hours sees more ,

than 51 vehicles stolen and 20

housebreakings in Randburg,

Sandton and Johannesburg.

Police figures disclosed in

Parliament by Law and Order

Minister Mr Adriaan Vlok also

show a 20 percent increase —

to 787 — in rapes in central

Johannesburg and Sandton.

And with these figures comes

the official admission that

crimes like car theft and

housebreaking are "enormous"

problems.

Reasons given by Mr Vlok

for the crime wave were the

economic recession, resulting,

unemployment and the abuse

by criminal elements of unrest. ;

Mr John Pegge, National

Director of the National Institute for Crime Prevention and

Rehabilitation of Offenders

(Nicro), added another cause —

frustrated political aspirations.

"The political situation affects the entire community.

Because many people see

themselves as disadvantaged

and see many laws as discriminatory, respect for the law is

lessened.

"Many feel they have nothing to lose and their perception

i of housebreaking might be that

of equalising wealth," Mr

Pegge said.

However, he said," the factors

primarily responsible for the

crime rate were the recession,

unemployment, and the thousands of school dropouts in

areas like Soweto.

This last aspect is reflected

in Witwatersrand police crime

returns where many suspects

are in their early or late teens.

Affluent areas are especially vulnerable to break-ins, with

1986 figures of 3 430 reported in

Randburg, 1250 in Bramley

and 1649 in Sandton — areas

near Alexandra township.

The flood of job-seekers

from rural areas to the Reef

also accelerated crime when

they encountered unemployment, said Mr Pegge.

"In the context of a developing country I also see crime increasing as their traditional

values are undermined," he

said.

Lack of education or skills to

cope in the urban environment

also contributed to crime sta102
tistics: "Significantly, 83 percent of the people Nicro sees

are illiterate, semi-literate, or

unskilled," he said.

Professor Douw Steyn, head

of Pretoria University's department of criminology, said

crime and political instability

went "hand-in-hand".

"Economics and politics cannot be divorced. Although

crime did increase during the

good times, there was no massive escalation as there is

now," he said. Because he did

not foresee an improvement in

economic conditions, Professor

Steyn said the crime rate

would intensify.

He blamed the abolition of

influx control for the large

numbers of unemployed "who

had to live and would turn to

crime if dishonesty was the easiest means".

Professor T van Heerden,

head of the department of

criminology, penology and police science at the University

of South Africa, said many policemen were permanently occupied curbing unrest and if

that was the way the SAP was

orientated it would not be able

to prevent crime.

"If there is a lack of proper

supervision it will create more

crime," Professor van Heerden

said.

Witwatersrand CID chief

Brigadier Dries van den

Heever agreed crime figures in

Johannesburg, Randburg, and

Sandton were "too high for

comfort".

He also agreed that underlying socio-economic factors contributed to high crime but

added his men had enough successes to enable him to express

"cautious optimism".

A specialised approach had

been adopted by creating select

units such as the Robbery

Reaction, Unit, Housebreaking

and Vehicle Branch units. They

had already achieved significant successes, Brigadier van

den Heever said.

"In the central city I think

we have succeeded in curbing

crime drastically," he said.

On car thefts, Brigadier van

den Heever said: "We have had

significant successes and our

February figures show a decrease on those of January.

"I think we have reached the

turning point for crime on the

Witwatersrand* and we are

starting to be cautiously optimistic," he said.

/9.317

CSO: 3400/294

103
SOUTH AFRICA

APARTHEID BUREAUCRACY HINDERS INDIAN JOB SEEKERS IN OFS

Johannesburg SUNDAY TIMES in English 8 Mar 87 p 5

[Article by Boeti Eshak] . ' ' ,

[Text] \

PETTY apartheid Is delaying

the creation of 4 000 Job opportunlties In the workstarved Orange Free State.

Officially the ban against Indian

occupation in the Free State has been

dumped.

But in reality bureaucratic hum-hawing makes it impossible for senior and

middle management Indians to find the

right accommodation.

Entrepreneurs wanting to move to the

Free State, thus creating thousands of

new jobs, are holding back because of the

apartheid bungle.

A visit to the Botshabelo industrial

area near Bloemfontein this week revealed:

• Top Indian management people who

have Created hundreds of jobs are forced

to live in crowded rooms on their factory

premises because no accommodation is

available in town.

• Attempts by the industrialists' association to sort something out have been

met by bureaucratic buck-passing and

paper-shuffling.

•The authorities want to

put Indian entrepreneurs into

a seedy part of town although

upper-class accommodation

in a cosmopolitan part is

available.

Mr Clive Mendelsohn,

chairman df the Botshabelo

Industrialists' Association,

spelt out the problem:

/93l7

CSO: 3400/294

"There are at least eight

Indian industrialists who

have delayed their relocation

to Botshabelo until housing

becomes available.

The search for accommodation has led Mr Mendelsohn a merry dance through

the bureaucratic halls.

Two government departments are involved in persuading the Indian businessmen to come to Botshabelo.

.The Bloemfontein City Council has welcomed the Indians

as job-spinners and said they

could live wherever they

wanted — "within reason".

But the Free State Provincial Administration is dragging its feet. . "

l

The first Indian entrepreneurs, arrived seven months

ago and have established

three clothing factories, with

a fourth on the way. But they

are no Closer to sorting out

the accommodation problem.

the SA Development Trust

Corporation, owners of Botshabelo, applied to build their

own blocks of flats, but have

been refused permission.

Guidelines

The corporation also applied for permission to house

the Indians in the cosmopolitan Westdene area of Bloemfontein. They pointed out that

a block of flats, Hargren

Court, has been occupied for

10 months by Taiwanese industrialists without a single

racial incident.

No luck. The Administrator, Mr Louis Botha, said a

survey showed there were 17

white objectors.

Mr Mendelsohn then contacted the Administrator

who at first said he was acting according to secret guidelines and then hinted that an

application for Rose Court, in

the Hilton area) would be acceptable.

The suggestion shocked the

Botshabelo industrialists.

"Hilton is totally unacceptable. According to police it

has the highest percentage of

violent crimes and we don't

want to expose the Indians to

this," said Mr Mendelsohn.

Now they have again applied for the use of Hargren

Court — but were told at the

| weekend by the Administrator that Rose Court it will

indeed be. Mr Botha promised to create a healthy community life for Indians within

their own group area.

104
PLIGHT OF INDIAN MIGRANT WORKERS NOTED

Johannesburg SUNDAY TIMES in English 8 Mar 87 p 5

[Article by Boeti Eshak] '. i

[Text]

SOUTH AFRICA

INDIAN "migrant" workers in Botshabelo have to contravene the Factories

Act because no suitable accommodation can be found for them. .,

The Sunday Times investigated the

plight of the workers, mainly middlemanagement personnel, who have been

sent from Durban to keep the factories

running.

At two factories, it was established

workers were sleeping in offices and

cloakrooms.

At the Lockhat Brothers factory, the

12 employees, including two blacks

from Durban, have converted the men's

cloakroom, the first-aid room and three

offices into bedrooms. They also have a

makeshift kitchen.

At Elite Clothing, eight people, including the manager, Mr M E Govender, sleep in two offices.

"The conditions we live under are

horrible," Mr Benny Singh, a 53-yearold production manager at Lockhat

Brothers, said, "and on top of that we

are away from our families."

Mr Singh is one of the many Indians

who had to leave their families behind

when they were transferred to Botshabelo. He left his wife and five children

behind in Chatsworth because of lack of

proper accommodation.

He said: "At any one time there are 12

Indians in this factory — nine fulltime

employees and three casuals. And all

are employed in senior positions. >

"When we arrived in August 1986 we

were told accommodation would be

provided, but nothing has happened.

Weekend

"There was nothing suitable available in Thaba Nchu (about 2km away).

We also applied for two flats in Bloemfontein in October and are still waiting

for an answer.

"Like the migrant black workers, we

are away from our wives and children.

We want them with us."

But unlike the black workers, they

can travel to Durban once a month at -

.the weekend to visit their families.

Mr Singh's neighbour in Chatsworth,

Mr Sheik Ahmed, 61, also had to leave

his wife and two high-school children at

home.

"How can I bring my family here

when there are no schools my children

can attend," Mr Ahmed, the company's

head mechanic, said.

Mr Cassim Patel, general manager of

Lockhat Brothers, said they felt isolated in Botshabelo.

"We live out of suitcases," Mr Patel,

43, from Avoca In Durban, said. "There

is no proper room space and no cupboards in which to keep our belongings.

"There is nothing to do. We Durbanites love the sea and there is not even a

swimming pool here. There are no recreational facilities."

Mrs Saras Reddy is one of the more

fortunate wives of the men employed in

Botshabelo. She has decent accommodation in a residential hotel in central

Bloemfonteln, and her three children —

Kathigasen, 9, Joanne, 8, and Ashley, 3

— are with her.

She joined her husband, Devraj, in

December. The couple's two schoolgoing children attend the private Christian Brothers College in Bloemfonteln.

"But I miss my large house in Chatsworth's Unit 7. Here our three children

sleep In the only bedroom and have

nowhere to play," she said. "Our social

life is non-existent."

/9317

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105
SOUTH AFRICA

INDIANS TO OWN LAND IN VRYHEID

Durban POST NATAL in English 11-14 Mar 87 p 7

[Article by Khalil Aniff] ','

[Text]

INDIANS will be living and owning their own homes in Vfyheid —

from where they were previously

barred — within a year, deputy;

Minister of Housing, Local Gov-!

ernment and Agriculture;, Mr Soobramoney "S V" Naickeii said this

week. ' He made the prediction, after toplevel talks with Vryheid's mayor, Mr

PRD Nel, House of Assembley MP

for Vryheid, Mr Jourie Mentz, and Mr

HR Rohrs, the town's former mayor.

Indians have been barred from living in this northern Natal town and

the Free State for many decades, but

the restrictions were lifted about 18

.months aeo.

Since then negotiatons have been taking

place on a regular basis .

to identify land for In- >

dian occupation.

Mr Naicker said once

the 10 hectares was proclaimed, work would

start immediately.

The Vryheid Town

Council will have to

give its stamp of approval, and according

to Mr Naicker this is

only a "formality".

The land is situated

in the heart of Vry-

/12828

CSO: 3400/342

heid and is bound by

Lake Side on the east,

Dorpspruit on the north,

the by-pass road on the

south and the Klipfontein Dam on the west

Mr Naicker said: Initial calculations have

shown that we need 200

homes to accommodate

workers who travel

from as far as Dundee

and Hlobane to work in

Vryheid. Priority will

be given to these people

and also to pioneers of

the areas closest to

Vryheid," he said.

A survey by Mr

Naicker has shown that

53 Indians are employed at the Hlobane

collories, 13 at Coronation collories, 21 at

Natal Anthracite, six at

Tselentis and almost

100 in smaller businßSSGS.

D Meanwhile, Mr

Naicker also disclosed

that negotiations were

under way with the

town council to open

the central business district in Vryheid to all

racGS«

"At this stage no finality has been reached

but I am confident we

will succeed."

106
SOUTH AFRICA

LESOTHO WATER PLAN DELAY COULD MEAN DISASTER FOR PWV

Johannesburg BUSINESS DAY in English 20 Mar 87 p 4

[Article by Mick Collins]

[Text] ANY delay in the R5bn Lesotho

Highlands Water Scheme could lead

to the entire PWV area being without water by 1994/95, say development sources.

They add that massive industries in

the area could grind to a halt should

there be a hiccup — political or financial — which impeded progress on the

scheme.

An economic research report by respected Johannesburg-based consultants Davis Borkum Hare says dams in

the Vaal River System are currently

at 26% of full capacity.

It adds: "This is sufficient to meet

current restricted(30% below normal)

water requirements.

"Current sources in the system will

not be sufficient for Rand Water

Board (RWB) requirements after

1995."

Author of the report Mike Brown

says the Highlands scheme has now

taken on a certain amount of urgency.

"There isn't much longer to go before pressure tells," he says.

The report says further that water

consumption in the RWB area totals

1817 megalitres/day which is very

close to to the present quota of 1806

megalitres/day.

"The quota includes a 30% saving on

normal water usage before the imposition of restrictions in early 1984, it

says.

*'In 1983, average consumption in

the area was about 2 300 megalitres-

/day, so significant savings have been

made in recent years, despite the

growth of the PWV."

Without the Highlands scheme,

however, the demand for water in the

RWB area (see graph) will probably

exceed the yield from the Vaal River

System by 1994, the report says.

/12828

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SOUTH AFRICA

NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES OF MINI-BUS TAXI BOOM NOTED

Johannesburg BUSINESS DAY in English 18 Mar 87 p 2

[Article by Chris Cairncross")

[Text] , AN UNCONTROLLED proliferation of mini-bus taxis might

seem to be a cheap method of

solving some of SA*s passenger

transport problems butit could,

in the long run, have negative

cost-raising consequences for

the economy as a whole.

And, the proposed deregulation

of these taxi services will need to

be co-ordinated adequately to ensure no harm is done to existing

public passenger transport, Passenger Transport Association

president JJ van Staden warns.

Addressing the PTA's biennial

conference in Cape Town yesterday, Van Staden acknowledged the

valuable contribution made by

taxis in the provision of transport,

but stressed that their expanding

presence was, at the same time,

seriously eroding the patronage enjoyed by existing bus operators.

This, in turn, created further

pressuresfor increased subsidies to

keep bus companies viable, and

would lead inevitably to higher demands on the finances of central

government or on RSCs when they

were finally in place.

Public transport should remain

balanced, with as much co-ordination between the different modes as

possible, Van Staden added.

There were numerous passenger

services provided by buses that

could be taken over by mini-bus

taxis, but he cautioned that the

level of demand should determined

eventual capital expenditure.

D Although government favoured

the principle of phasing out passenger transport subsidises, this was

unlikely to happen in the near

future, Deputy Transport Minister

Myburgh Streicher said.

Although legislation provided

that RSCs would be held responsible for financing transport in their

areas, it was foreseen they would

be incapable of providing all the

necessary funds from their own

sources, and assistance would need

to come from central government.

He said there were, in any event,

several cogent reasons for promoting the use of public transport

through the payment of subsidies.

It was conceivable that, with

changing travel patterns likely to

emerge as a result of government's

urbanisation strategy and commuters' greater disposable income,

phasing out of subsidies would be-,

come feasible eventually.

/12828

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SOUTH AFRICA

VOLKSKAS: MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY MOST IMPORTANT ECONOMIC SECTOR

Johannesburg BUSINESS DAY in English 18 Mar 87 p 3

[Text] THE manufacturing industry is the most

important sector on which SA's future

prosperity will be based, says Volkskas's

latest Economic Spotlight.

Agriculture has limited growth potential because of the land constraint, the

mining asset-base is fading away, and

the services sector is dependent on the

wealth created by the primary and

secondary sectors, it says.

In contrast, the manufacturing sector's raw materials can be replenished,

its fixed capital stock can be enlarged

and renewed, and technological innovation encourages continual growth.

It says the problems associated with

the economy nave taken a toll on the

industry, but improving tendencies have

emerged since mid-1986.

The volume of factory production declined 5,1% in 1985 and continued to

decline in the first half of 1986, although

total factory production was about 1,5%

higher in the third quarter of 1986 than a

year before, and preliminary figures

show an improvement of more than 4%

for the last quarter.

The publication says the average cost

increases for the industry have also been

high, but the rate of increase in operating costs per unit of production have

declined to 15% in 1986 from 18% in 1985.

A contributing factor to the löwer rate

of increase in operating costs is a visible

improvement in productivity.

Operating profits are improving because production volumes have improved, capacity utilisation has risen

slightly, the rate of increase in the unit

cost of production has decelerated and

the terms of trade have improved.

The slower rate of increase in operating costs means that a slower growth in

the rate of inflation could be forecast

with greater confidence than had been

the case until recently.

Wrong policy decisions could easily

neutralise the underlying favourable

trends with regards to inflation. The

growth momentum of recent months has

to be maintained, Volkskas says.

/12828

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109
SOUTH AFRICA

SPECULATION ON NEW GOLD FIELD IN POTCH GAP

Johannesburg BUSINESS DAY in English 18 Mar 87 p 12

[Article by Peter Stacey]

fTextl YESTERDAY'S announcement by

Potchefstroom Gold Areas (PGA) of

an intersection of gold bearing conglomerate between Potchefstroom

and Carletonville has revived speculation on the potential of the "Potch

Gap" for a new gold field.

The gap is so named because of the

absence to date of a major gold mine in

the area between the most westerly

mines of the West Wits Line - Deelkraal and Doornfontein — and the Klerksdorp gold field.

PGA reported one of the intersections

by an Anglo American Prospecting Services drilling team had yielded an encouraging value", but the mineral exploration company cautioned it was too

early to to assess the significance of the

The borehole, VH1 on the farm Vyfhoek, is about 5km from the northern

edge of Potchefstroom.

Progress has been slowed by drilling

complications, but it is anticipated target depth will be reached and further

deflections and assay results will be

completed "later in the year".

PGA reports correlation of the results

of the borehole with those from intersections on the farm Gerhardminnebronne,

20km to the north, are being studied.

The company is the holder of mineral

title as well as participation rights in the

Potch Gap area, but has no direct involvement in the Gerhardminnebronne

prospect, tipped by mining analysts as a

potential site for a new mine.

Extensive prospecting in the gap, including the use of vibroseis methods, as

well as drilling and other conventional

geological techniques, has been in progress for some time.

Prior to the PGA announcement, the

company's shares had been heavily traded since Wednesday last week, when

turnover on the day was 152 548 shares

— up from earlier trading volumes of

about 15 000 a day.

Volume traded peaked at 323 200 on

Friday with the price up 75c to 300c on

the week.

On Monday trading volumes eased on

a new high of 320c. Yesterday's close for

the share was 300c.

/12828

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110
PRC MAKES TRADE GESTURE

Johannesburg THE STAR in English 18 Mar 87 p 18

SOUTH AFRICA

[Article by Frank Jeans]

[Text] All the anti-South Africa

sentiment in the world , won't stop this country's j

trade talcing off with the

coming on stream next

year of the World Trade

Centre near Jan Smuts |

Airport. I

And even the Red Chinese want SA in the international business family.

At the opening of the

40 000 sq m Trade and

Merchandise Mart sec-.

tion of the WTC at Jürgens Park by Dr Theo

Alant, Deputy Minister of

Economics and Technology, it was learned that

Chinese officials in Nanjing, sent a letter, via

Hong Kong trade agents,

to Mr Neels Swart, chair-

' man of the new centre

which welcomed South

African participation in a

food fair at Nanjing.

The letter said this was

"our first step to co-operate".

The World Trade Centres Association, which

was formed 17 years ago,

is a force in world trade,

with 130 member nations.

South Africa joined the

association last year and

now its R30 million TMM

. — a permanent display

centre for manufactured

goods — is scheduled for

opening this November.

Arrangements have

beed made for a number

of WTC trade missions to

view South African goods

from the end of 1987 onwards.

Also on the drawing

board for the overall

trade complex is a new

hotel to cater for what is

expected to be a rush of

international buyers of

South African goods

which, Mr Gus Dubinsky,

1 manager of the Brussels

mart, one of the largest

in the business says, have

a high profile in world

markets.

Financial backing for

the local venture comes

from private sector, financial institutions and

an initial investment

! from the Terexco group,

of which Mr Swart is also

chairman.

The Terexko group is

owned by the Swart and

, Jürgens family trusts.

/12828

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111
SOUTH AFRICA

BRIEFS

NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED INDIANS UP--Unemployment among Indians increased 357»

in the 12 months to November, according to Central Statistical Services.

In November 1985, 22 835 Indians were unemployed. A year later it had increased

to 30 824 out of an economically active population of 307 228. Of those

without work in November last year, 64,17» were under 30, compared with 64,87»

in November 1985. [Text][Johannesburg BUSINESS DAY in English 12 Mar 87 p 4]

/12828

RISE IN EXPORTS FROM RICHARDS BAY--Richards Bay Coal Terminal exports climbed

from 39,6-million tons in 1985 to 40,3-million tons last year. This was

said by the Richards Bay Coal Terminal Company (RBCT) MD, M B Dunn, yesterday.

He said that operating efficiency improved last year. Tonnage exported

through the terminal since commissioning in 1979 has climbed every year

except 1982 from less than 5-million tons to the current 40-million tons.

Dunn said: "With world demand and market uncertainties, the planned Phase 4

development of RBCT to increase the capacity beyond the present maximum

of 44-million tons has not been commissioned. "RBCT is, however, well-placed

to proceed with the development when it is required. [Text][Johannesburg

BUSINESS DAY in English 13 Mar 87 p 3]/12828

PGA BOREHOLE STRIKES BIRD REEF--An Anglo American Prospecting Services

borehold has intersected the main Bird Reef formation on the farm Vyfhoek,

south-west of Carletonville. The hole has not reached final depth and

drilling "complications" have retarded progress, says a statement by

Potchefstroom Gold Areas (PGA), the listed minister exploration company

holding mining title and participation rights on a number of farms in the

"Potch Gap" area between the Klerksdorp goldfields and the West Wits Line.

The statement follows PGA's share price climb last week on sharply increased

volumes. Yesterday's close was 320c, up from 240c a week ago. [Text]

[Johannesburg BUSINESS DAY in English 17 Mar 87 p 1]/12828

BUILDERS FUND GETS B00ST--The IBM SA Projects Fund (IBM SAPF) loan scheme

has been increased by $500 000 to help small builders affiliated to black

builders' associations throughout the PWV. This announcement of the extension

of the pilot project, started a year ago, was made in Johannesburg this week.

The IBM fund initially made available R300 000 to use as bridging finance

for the Small Builders Contractors Association (SBCA). Addressing representatives

of the various associations in the PWV area at the launch of the project,

branch manager of the fund Neville Davis said: Such has been the success of

112
the SBCA scheme that we were encouraged to extend it to the entire PWV area

and increase the loan facility by a further $500 000. "A large construction

company has also offered courses in skills such as site management and lay-out,

estimating contracts, specification documents and tendering."fTextlfJohannesburg

BUSINESS DAY in English 18 Mar 87 p 3] [Article by Sophie TemaJ/Sis 8

LISBON TRADE MISSION ARRIVES-South Africa's R190 million in annual trade

with Portugal came under the spotlight yesterday with the arrival of a 30-

strong delegation from Lisbon. Mr Enrique Santos, Secretary General of the

Portuguese South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that while

the majority of delegates sought export opportunities, several were looking

for items to import. The products represented by the mission (hosted by

the Bank of Lisbon and SA) include cork, canned and frozen foods, buildine

materials, wines, textiles and linens, anti-corrosives, and cutlerv

Mr Santos said that for a number of years South Africa's main export to

III g"Lt »V^L1 f^ucts, the figure reaching R45 million two years

ago However," he added, "with the imposition of EEC sanctions against

steel products in September 1986, coal is now becoming the most important

LSMar 87 p ItY/ll^ P°

rtUga1

-" ^extH Johannesburg THE STAR in English

KODAK CONFIRMS SALES TO SAD-Eastman Kodak in the US has confirmed the sale

of part of its inventory to SA Druggists (SAD), but insists no Kodak

product will be shipped to SA after April 30. However, SAD executive

director .Sid Hurwitz was equally insistent that Kodak products would be on

sale and it will be businesses usual". In a statement late last night

^°MH r^ J"?"n-

K

?

dak headquarters in Rochester, the company said Kodak

SA MD Clayt Liljequist was its official spokesman and authorised him to make

ofethenrec^erf * ^"T ^' "^^ ^^ t0 be Some -understanding of the recent transaction between Kodak and SAD and we want to offer

clarification Consistent with its policy of total withdrawal from SA,

Kodak has sold part of its inventory to SAD-consumer, professional and

photo-finisher products are involved. "Similar transactions are under „ay

T^t°- ^

USineSSes t0 reduce or eliminate inventory in other product areas.

These inventory transactions are part of the process of winding Sown Kodak's

business in an orderly manner. "As previously stated, Kodak will ship no

product to SA after April 30, 1987, and the company „ill totally withdraw

as of June 30, 1987. "The company has not made, nor will it make, any

arrangement to supply or facilitate the supply of products to SAD or any

other entity m SA after April 30." In a SAPA report released earlier yesAIIIV ^

dak

.^

A denied reP°rts of a

w with SA Druggists (SAD). In its

denial, it said the two companies had reached agreement worth "many millions"

for the purchase of SAD of Kodak's entire stock of consumer, professional

and other stocks. However, senior executive Rob Courtney told Business Day

the previous day the deal had not been finalised. The SAPA report quoted

Liljequist as saying any impression given that Kodak spokesman had denied

the deal with SAD was incorrect. Liljequist was quoted as saying- "oTcourse

this is not so. SAD already holds a large portion of our assets in SL?

of stock, but the assets represented by the laboratories** ! * ! t

group's Trimark Agencies." P

In a t-lepl^ii^jr^ti^^tS: ^^

said the deal with Trimark had not been finalised. SID'S Hurwitz slid the

companies' relationship had grown to the stage where "in effect J 2 • ,

TZ'Tl l;r,2mh2sTk"- [TeXt^ohannesDurg BOs'liYJS^ E^ÜY^

113
MASONITE TO STAY--Masonite Africa is here to stay. The US parents of JSEquoted US Gypsum have no intention of disinvesting for political reasons,

vice-chairman Harry Stover said at the AGM in Durban this week. US Gypsum

would apply the normal criteria should they have to make the decision on

economic grounds. Masonite chairman F J Raubenheimer said the company was

on target for the first two months of this year. He said it was difficult

to make profit predictions beyond the forecast in the annual report suggesting

local earnings growth. [Text][Johannesburg BUSINESS DAY in English 19 Mar 87

p 151/12828

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114
SOUTH AFRICA

OIL EXECUTIVE DEFENDS MOSSEL BAY OUTPUT PROJECTIONS

MB051240 Johannesburg SAPA in English 1215 GMT 5 Mar 87

[Text] Johannesburg, 5 Mar (SAPA)—Contrary to certain reports, it was quite

possible to achieve a 70 percent local content target for the R5,500-million

Mossel Bay "Malga" natural gas project, said Mr Steve Harber, managing

director of Engineering Management Offshore Services (EMSO), in an interview

today. He was commenting on remarks in the press by offshore-oil experts this

week that the local content target for the gas project was "unrealistically

high."

"I want to emphasise," he said, "that our initial feasibility study shows the

70 percent target is, if anything, too conservative. The target can certainly

be achieved with the right co-operation between SA companies and overseas

know-how. Of course there will have to be overseas know-how. But the leading

contractors will be South African."

Oil industry executives have been reported as expressing some skepticism about

this. They are said to be doubtful that the necessary expertise can be

acquired locally in the time available, and to believe the entire exercise

would still have to depend heavily on overseas manpower. They are also said

to have questioned the extent to which local companies would, in the end, be

capable of becoming involved. ^

In reply, Mr Harber said: "I must stress that the philosophy is still to

maximise local content wherever possible and, where foreign technology is

required, to make it mandatory that this technology be transferred to SA

companies." He explained that EMSO was a subsidiary of the Murray & Roberts

(M&R) Group core company, Engineering Management Services, and that Sanlam

[South Africa National Life Assurance Co.] now has a substantial stake in

M&R. "We have been appointed by Soekor [Southern Oil Exploration Co.] to

handle the conceptual design and project management of the whole venture," he

said.

The feasibility study and first stage were being tackled in three phases—the

cost and returns, the implications in terms of geology and the environment,

and the offshore design. "We expect to have the second phase complete by the

end of March and to start detail design and the calling for tenders in April,"

said Mr Harber.

115
»Although we believe the 70 percent local content target is realistic, our

studies show that in the drive to maximise SA content, the peak manpower

requirements will surpass the resource available within SA's engineering and

construction industry. "To rationalise these requirements, reducing the peak

to manageable level»! the Central Energy Fund (CEF) was faced with the option

of extending the date of completion or accelerating the start-up. It was

decided to advise the cabinet to adopt the second option.

Mr Harber says the financing allocation for all synfuel projects for 1987 is

R300-million~to come from the CEF-and for the period 1988-91 some R4,200-

million. An estimated additional R3,300-million will then be necessary to

carry the Malgas project through to the commissioning stage. Some R1JUmillion has been earmarked for the Port Elizabeth/Durban ends of the Malgas

venture this year—between R40-million and R50-million for the PE [Port

Elizabeth] area and R70-million to R80-million for Durban.

/9599

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SOUTH AFRICA

POROUS PLUGS PORDUCED LOCALLY

Pretoria SOUTH AFRICAN DIGEST in English 13 Mar 87 p 16

[Text] Porous plugs, or gas purging elements, have been developed by Vereeniging

Refractories in collaboration with the Refractory Services Section of steel

producer Iscor's Pretoria Works and manufactured in South Africa for the first

time. The plugs were previously imported.

Porous plugs are set in the floor of steel ladies or other liquid metal-bearing

vessels. An inert gas, usually orgon, is blown through the element into the

steel and on its way to the surface of the metal causes unwanted impurities

to collect and float to the surface of the metal by processes of gaseous

diffusion and solid/liquid accretion. These impurities are thus drawn up

into the top layer of slag, leaving a purer melt below.

Purging elements are high-technology articles. With modern steelmaking

processes and increasing temperatures, porous plugs must be capable of

withstanding long holding times of 1700 degrees Centigrade of higher, and

after each operation the working force of the plug has to be cleaned by oxygen

lance to remove any steel/slag coating. Such an operation requires an

inherently high safety factor in the ceramic plug.

Refractoriness is built into purging elements by strict observance of raw

material purity and manufacturing procedures to eliminate any possibility of

contamination. Careful control of batch grading, pressing force and firing

temperature contributes to achieving the desired permeability and pore-size

distribution to optimise the bubble size of the gas. World-wide experience

has shown this to be critical in the efficiency of the purging operation.

Too large a bubble decreases the overall available surface area per given

unit of gas, whilst a bubble which is too small, remains for too long

in the molten metal and will not product the required agitation.

Free flow of gas through the ceramic element is limited by pores of less than

20 microns in diameter, whilst pores larger than 70 microns lead to bubbles

which are too large. An achievable ideal gives about 707» of pores between

these two sizes.

Porous purging elements may be made from a number of raw materials; most

common are magnesia, mullite and aluming. Vereeniging Refractories deliberately

chose an alumina element strengthened with chrome-oxide addition.

712828 n7

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SOUTH AFRICA

GROOTEGELUK MINE TO EXPAND COAL PREPARATION PLANT

Johannesburg BUSINESS DAY in English 17 Mar 87 p 3

[Article by Peter Stacey]

r Tpv t-1 ^ R350m extension to the coal prep- 1 J

aration plant at Grootegeluk

mine, near Ellisras, will make it

the largest in the world.

Desigri is now under way to increase the Iscor colliery's plant

by 76% to process 26,8-million

tons| a month at full capacity,

compares with the largest

overseas washing plants now on

the drawing boards, which will

handle about 16,5-million tons.

Process

The existing washing plant is a twostage process with a run-of-mine

input of 3 000 tons an hour. A high

grade light fraction coking coal

is used for metallurgical purposes, while a "middling" product provides fuel for the adjacent

Matimba power station.

The 2 300 input tons an hour extension will produce a single prod-

-Jiei, for the power station, and a

""nBscard.

Engaged

The "Grootegeluk Joint Venture"

comprising LTA Birtley Engineering and Ove Arup Incorporated have been engaged by Iscor

to carry out conceptual and detailed design of the plant.

Design work is scheduled for completion by December this year.

Construction is expected to begin

early next year and commissioning is targeted for April 1990.

/12828

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END

118