In a belated but still very welcome development, the South African government is reported today to have decided to disband these unlawful military and para-military units. Thirdly, the government reneged on the agreement to phase out single-quarter hostels in the townships or at least convert them into fenced off family units, even after acknowledging that violence emanated from them. Finally, the government must bear full responsibility, even if only vicariously, for the conduct of its agencies that invariably result either in inadequate police investigations, sham trials and unwarranted acquittals of perpetrators of violence, ineffective jail sentences and bails, and police cover-ups. I might add, Mr. President, that this viewpoint has also gained currency internationally. It is also having a very adverse effect on the economy.
Violence is the most pressing problem which South Africa faces.
Mr. President, These are the realities in South Africa and of the proliferating violence. No one, least of all members of this Organization, takes delight in frivolously accusing the de Klerk regime of complicity in the violence - but the facts speak for themselves as do the escalating death tolls. Perhaps the acts of commission or omission on the part of de Klerk's administration are best summed up by the views expressed by Anthony Lewis in an article in New York Times , of July 6, 1992. When alleged killers are arrested, nothing seems to happen. With all the attacks on the trains, exactly one person has been tried and convicted.