~G.~j l( Independent Boord of Inquiry · 2012. 9. 10. · • AWB, announced that his organisation would continue to "organise aga;inst such meetings" (Rapport 1/9/1991) . 2. The

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~G.~j } ~ l( Independent Boord of Inquiry

PO Box 32293 8raomfonleln 2017 JoIxlnnesburg South Afnca Phone (011) A03-325617 Fax (011) A03-1366

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT BOARD OF INOUIRY FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 1991

CONTENTS:

I. INTRODUCTION: __ ______________________ 1-3_

II_STATE INSTITUTIONS:

l.The South African Police (SAP) • . . ..... 4-5

2. Welverdiend Unrest Unit ...........•••• 6-7

3. South African Defence Force (SADF) ...... 7

III. RIGHT WING:

1.The Aftermath of Ventersdorp ........... 8-9

2.The Orde Borevolk Hunger strike ........ 9-12

3. Increasing Militancy of the Conservative Party ......................... 13

4. Trials involving Rightwingers ........ 13-14

IV_ATTACKS ON INDIVIDUALS: __ ___________ 14-16

V_ REEF VIOLENCE:

1 . East Rand .........•.................. 16-19

2. Soweto .............................. 19-23

3.Sebokeng .................•.•.......... 23-24

4 . Swaniev ille ........•.................. 24 -2 5

5.Koster ............................... 25-26

VI_TRAIN ATTACKS: _______________________ 26-28

BOARD ME'...-:BE?S ~. : oJur~ ACKerrnonr S>' "':e ,oceS'';:'k .. ,. A;e.ol BorOire Mrs Judy Chomers

VII . NATIONAL PEACE ACCORD •••••••••••••• 29-31

VIII. NATAL:

1. The Maphumulo Inquest ........ .. .. . ... 31-32

2. The Trust Feed Massacre ....... . .. . ... 32-33

3. General .......... .. ..................... 33

• IX. CISKEI; •• . •.•••••. .. ..••••••••••••• ·33-38

X. CONCLUSION; ••••••••••••••••....••.•• ·· · ·39

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I. INTRODUCTION :

At least 121 people lost their lives in the week prior to the

signing of the National Peace Accord (NPA) , and although

there has been a marked drop in the number of deaths since

the signing, sporadic attacks on individuals commuters and

communities continue.

The assassination of Civic Associations of the Southern

Transvaal (Cast), general secretary, Sam Ntuli in Thokoza on

the East Rand has raised fears that violence could break out

in the area once again. The situation in Thokoza remains

t e n s e following the ma ssa cre of 23 Inka tha supporters on

Sunday September B.

Despite the NPA being formally adopted by the government, the

African National Congress (ANe) and the Inkatha Freedom Party

(IFP), it is clear that the NPA has not had much impact on

the ground, for example, since the signing, at least 1 5

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people have been killed and scores injured . Recent attacks

have focused on commuters travelling by train.

Concern has also been expressed this month over the behaviour

and actions of certain members of the SAP based in

~ carletonville and Potchefstroom. The Board is currently

assisting members of the special task force appointed by

state President FW de Klerk to investigate allegations of

alleged police involvement in violence, and the board has

played a key role in the recent suspension of 11 policeman

based at the Welverdiend unrest unit in the area . However, it

seems clear that on one level the Board is receiving full

co-operation from the head of the investigation team but on

another there seems to be an all out effort to undermine the

• investigation at every turn. Since the investigation got underway in June this year 10 people involved in the investigation, have been arrested, including one of the

board's researchers and the local ANC chairperson in the

area . The Board has expressed concern over the arrests and

trusts that they are not an attempt to frustrate the

investigation particularly as part of the bail conditions

prevent the Board's researcher and the ANC chairperson being

within SOOm of Carletonville Police station and the

Carletonville Magistrate's Court .

-3-

A matter of particular concern, this month , regarding the

security forces is the announcement that the Vlakplaas unit

is to be expanded by incorporating former members of the

Koevoet unit. Both these units have had numerous allegations

of misconduct laid against them. Several allegations about

4t police involvement in the Natal violence have also come to light in recent months and these will be tested in court

during october.

•

The fear that the issue of the three right wing hunger

strikers would lead to unity amongst right wing organisations

has proved unfounded. The strike has ended and numerous

allegations have been made that it was not in fact a bona

fide strike . The most disturbing development in this area is

the militant stand which the Conservative Party h a s taken

following its Transvaal congress. The message of the party i s

that a white general election must be called or they will be

forced to extra parliamentary methods and such methods do n o t

exclude violence.

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II. STATE INSTITUTIONS

1. The South African Police.

In the Vrye Weekblad of August 30 it was revealed that four

~ men, who had recently returned to South Africa from ANC camps

in Africa , had signed statements in which they admitted to

being security police agents. The four are Raymond Bongani

Malinga , Alpheus Kheswa, Samuel Mpho Motjoadi and Patrick

Dlongwana. Between them they admit to the murder of 23

anti - apartheid activists including united Democratic Front

leader and human rights lawyer victoria Mxenge. The men all

claim that they were severely tortured by the ANC and were

forced to make the admissions. However none of them deny that

• they were agents of the state. The ANC deny that any of the statements were made under duress. In response the SAP state d that it is against official policy to identify informants but

that notice had been taken of the allegations and that the

men will be contacted in the course of an official

investigation.

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Further information that has come to light in this area is

that despite requests from many parties, including the Board ,

the Vlakplaas Askari unit is not to be disbanded but in fact

will be expanded with the inclusion of members of the Koevoet

unit which operated in the then South West Africa (Vrye

tt Weekblad 20/9/1991) . This unit was the ofLicial SAP anti-insurgency unit in the country and there were numerous

allegations of the use of excessive brutality by the unit in

the course of the bush war. It appears hard to reconcile the

expansion of this unit, in this manner, with the new image

which the SAP are striving for in this country.

• On August 28, Morris Mondau, who claimed to be a police agent

recruited to spy on PWV regional secretary Barbara Hogan was,

presented to the media by the ANC. The man had been

apprehended at the ANC's regional office and found to be in

possession of a two way radio. He then claimed to be a police

agent and said that his handler was a Van Wyk. One of the

police officers with whom Hogan often liaises is a Colonel

Van Wyk. The police denied that the ANC was being spied upon

as a political organisation but said that no ANC member was

above the law .

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2. Welverdiend Unrest Unit:

The Board and the Carletonville ANC branch continue to

assist the SAP appointed special investigation team

investigate serious allegations of abuse against members of

4It the Welverdiend Unrest Unit. However, despite the Board's full co-operation the investigation continues to be

undermined. Since the investigation began in June, eight

people who have laid charges or who are potential witnesses

to the investigation have been arrested, five of whom now

face charges ranging from possession of a firearm and

ammunition to robbery. There has been strong evidence to

suggest that certain members of the SAP are not in favour of

the investigation and have opened cases against potential

• witnesses in an attempt to frighten them off testifying should the attorney general decide to prosecute. A further development has been the arrest and subsequent

charging of one of the Board's researchers and the local ANC

chairperson. The two have been charged with intimidation and

assault of a police officer. The Board's researcher is also

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on a second charge of criminal injuria.

Obviously, the arrest of potential witnesses does not bode

well for the investigation, particularly when the SAP is at

4It this juncture attempting to improve its image. The SAP is constantly asking people to come forward and help with

investigations but experience in Khutsong has proved that it

is not always as simple as that.

•

3. The South African Defence Force (SADF).

Felix Ndimene, who was formerly a sergeant with the Fifth

Reconnaissance Regiment (5 Recce), has returne d to his home

country of Mozambique. Ndimene claims that he was abducted

from the country in 1982 by the SADF and forced to serve with

5 Recce . He has made a number of allegations about the unit,

including their involvement in the Reef conflict (see

previous reports). In a statement to the press Ndimene said

that he is prepared to testify before any credible commission

of inquiry but that he had not been prepared to co-operate

with the SAP as he feared for his own safety within South

Africa.

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III . RIGHT WING

The following issues dominated this area in September: the

aftermath of the ventersdorp incident, the hunger strike of

the Orde Boerevolk (OB) members, the increasing militancy of

the Conservative Party (CP) and the sentencing of two Durban

right wingers.

1. The Aftermath of Ventersdorp .

(For details on the incident itself see August report).

Following threats from the Afrikaner Weerstand Beweging (AWB)

that the meeting would be disrupted, the National Party (NP)

announced that a meeting in Parys, which was to be addressed

by the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Kraai van Niekerk, had

been cancelled. The Democratic Party (OP) said that in doing

so the NP had set a dangerous precedent. The CP said that the

cancellation of the meeting indicated that the NP was no

longer in touch with the feelings of the "Volk". The AWB

announced that they were waiting for the next meeting (The

star 27/8/1991). Information from police sources indicated

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that AWB members from allover the country were going to

converge on the meeting bearing firearms and that if the

police fired teargas at the right wi ngers t his would be

r eturned in kind (Beeld 28/8/ 1991).

4It In response the NP announced that in the future tickets will be issued to people who wish to attend the Party's meetings

and that only such ticket holders would be admitted. On

August 28 a NP meeting at Dewetsdorp in the Orange Free state

went off without incident. However after the meeting Andries

Beyers , Chief Secretary of the CP, said that until there was

another white election it would not be safe for the NP to

hold any public meetings . Eugene Terre' Blanche, leader of the

AWB, announced that his organisation would continue to

• "organise aga;inst such meetings" (Rapport 1/9/1991) . 2. The Order Boerevolk Hunger strike.

The hunger strike by three OB members, Henry Martin, Adriaan

Maritz and Load van Schalkwyk, was the major issue of early

September for most right wing groupings (for further details

on the three see August report) . By late August the three had

all been on hunger strike for over five weeks with Martin

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having gone without food for nine weeks. All three were moved

to H F Verwoerd hospital and every day right wing groupings

held demonstrations outside the hospital . On August 29, after

the government had announced that no indemnity would be

granted to the three, they announced that they would fast

until they died (The star 29/ 8/1991).

In an unprecedented move various anti- apartheid movements

came out in support of the men ' s demand for their release.

The general secretary of the South African Council of

Churches, Rev Frank Chikane, said that he was concerned for

the lives of the three individuals. ANC president, Nelson

Mandela expressed " keen disappointment" at the goverment's

~ decision (The Citizen 30/ 8/ 1991).

On their side, right wing groupings were unanimous in their

support for the three men and at one stage it appeared as if

they could become a rallying point for the entire right wing.

Eugene Terre'Blanche said that after the events of

ventersdorp the government could not afford to have another

three corpses on their hands. Leader of the CP, Dr Andries

Treurnicht, called for the release of the three on

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humanitarian grounds . Robert van Tonder leader of the

Boerestaatparty said that the governments decision was an

absolute disgrace (Beeld 30/8/1991). Finally 06 leader Nic

strydom said that if the three were not released then right

wing violence was a strong possibility .

The chance that the issue could unify the right wing fell

away after the trio were visited by Nelson Mandela. Mandela

came to visit them in order to discuss their alleged

involvement with elements of the security forces (see August

Report). Whilst the visit was requested by the 08 it was

condemned by virtually every other right wing grouping and

caused the deputy leader of the OB, Caen Vermaak, to resign

in protest (Beeld 3/9/1991). Another issue of contention

between the OB and other groups is the former's commitment to

negotiations with all parties including the ANC. Mandela went

on to have a meeting with State President F W de Klerk to

call for the release of the men but the government refused to

budge on the issue (The Star 3/9/1991).

Finally the three ended the strike on September 9 and

announced that they would be accepting the governments offer

of R5000 bail each. Martin claimed to have been o n strike for

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63 days, Maritz for 56 days and Van Schalkwyk for 49 days.

Soon hereafter indications began emerging that these figures

were not correct. By September 12 the three were eating solid

foods according to the Department of Correctional Services.

According to medical experts this was weeks ahead of schedule

(Business Day 12/ 9/ 1991). After reviewing reports of medical

tests done towards the end of the strike, David Green,

director of the National Medical and Dental Association, said

that it was unlikely that bona fide hunger strikers would

have suffered such minimal damage after so prolonged a f~st

(Business Day 13/ 9/ 1991).

Meanwhile, in reaction to allegations that a security

policeman was part of the striker's OS cell and had given the

4It orders that the Durban parQel bomb be sent, the SAP said that the person involved was a trainee constable. The man has been

suspended and is to be a state witness in the court case (The

star 30/ 8/ 1991). The three men maintain that they were agents

for Military Intelligence and have said that they will give

evidence to this effect at the proposed commission on

violence and intimidation.

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3. Increasing Militancy of the Conservative Party.

In mid September the CP held their Transvaal congress and it

was marked by a far more militant tone than earlier

congresses. Amongst the proposed motions was a proposal that

all NP public representatives be tried for treason should the

CP come to power (Business Day 12/ 9/ 1991). Dr Andries

Treurnicht, leader of the CP, said that whites would never

submit to a black government and that the peace accord was

the first step to giving the ANC control over the security

forces (The Sunday Star 15/ 9/ 1991). Deputy leader of the CP,

Dr Ferdi Hartzenberg, said that any constitutional change in

the country would be seen as an act of aggression by the

party. He also made it clear that, if necessary, whites would

turn to viole nce to achieve their aims. Koo s v a n d e r Me rwe

said that the CP should infiltrate and take over the SADF s o

that "we will be able to use it when the time comes to fight"

(The Citizen 16/ 9/ 1991).

4. Trials involving Right Wingers.

In Durban on September 13, David Botha, an AWe "konunandant

and Adriaan Smuts, an AWe "veldkornet", were each given seven

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that earlier in the day , four men had come to his home

looking for his son . He said the men were strangers and that

he had informed t hem t ha t his son was not at home . Ntuli ' s

death comes only a day after he met with Inkatha officials to

discuss the implementation of the peace accord .

Mystery surrounds the death in Diepkloof, Soweto of Papa John

Manyakalla, a member of the South African Communist Party

and ANC Youth League. Police have claimed that he committed

suicide after his parents found his body in the outside

toilet with a bullet wound in the left ear on Friday

September 20 1991. He was last seen alive on September 19. He

was found by his parents squatted on the toilet floor,

motionless and cold. Along side him lay a pistol placed next

to his radio . (Weekly Mail 27/09/ 1991). Manyakalla ' s parents

claim that on September 19 they spotted two vehicles parked

outside their house and that when they went to bed the

vehicles were still there. When the police were summoned

following the discovery of the body , they claimed it was

suicide. However, Manyakalla's father Isaac, said that his

son was right handed and the bullet wound was in the left

ear. He also said if his son had shot himself with his left

hand, he would have been unable to replace the gun on his

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death sentences for an attack on a bus in Durban on October 9

1990 in which seven black commuters were killed. The men also

had links with the OB. During the trial they said it was the

official policy of the 08 that for every white person killed

by a black, ten blacks must die. They claimed that their

4It attack had been in revenge for the fatal stabbing of a white civilian by a black man, which had occurred on the Durban

beach front earlier that day.

•

IV. ATTACKS ON INDlVlDUALS

Despite the signing of the NPA attacks on individuals

continue, political activists seem to be the main targets. On

Sunday September 29, cast general secretary Sam Ntuli was

gunned down in Thokoza on the East Rand . Witnesses claim they

saw a blue Toyota Cressida, registration unknown follow

Ntuli's car and attempt to force it off the road. When

Ntuli ' s car stopped the killers fired at him as they overtook

his car. They then apparently sped down the road, turned back

and drove towards Ntuli's car again and fired at it before

disappearing. Ntuli's body had 12 bullet wounds all inflicted

by an AK47. Earlier this year Ntuli's home in Thokoza was

attacked and a young girl was injured. Ntuli's father claimed

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right side. Apparently there was very little blood in the

toilet, suggesting that he was killed somewhere else and

dumped in the toilet .

... V.REEF VIOLENCE :

•

• 1. EAST RAND:

Thokoza:

Confusion still surrounds the massacre of 23 Inkatha members

in Thokoza on the East Rand on Sunday September 8, 1991. IFP

youth leader Themba Khoza has claimed that a man claiming to

be a member of the ANC was arrested shortly after the attack .

Khoza says that the man was arrested with an AK47 which was

still "very hot l! from use. He alleges that the man was placed

in a policevan and that several Inkatha members then

questioned the man who claimed that he was a member of

Umkhonto we Sizwe the armed wing of the ANC and that he had

trained in Maputo, Mozambique and that he had recently

returned to the country. Khoza also claimed that the man said

he was from Soweto and that he had received orders from the

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ANC NEe to attack Inkatha in Thokoza. It is worth noting

that members of the SAP have flatly denied that they arrested

anyone on the day and said that Khoza ' s a l legations were

"blat ant 1ies ll • Police have subsequently released an

identikit of a man wanted for questioning in connection with

4It the attack.

•

The latest information is that a man fitting the description

of the identikit was arrested in Alberton on Saturday

September 28, following an attempted bank robbery . The police

have not as yet positively linked the man arrested in

Alberton to the Thokoza attack.

Inkatha ' s Thokoza secretary , Abraham Mzizi alleged that two

men opened fire on members of the Hostel Dwellers '

Association which has close ties with the IFP, as they were

marching to the local stadium to hold a peace meeting . The

police however claim that three men were involved in the

attack and that they opened fire from a house as the marchers

passed by.

A week before the attack the IFP had distributed a pamphlet

in the area, announcing the peace meeting at the local

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Thokoza stadium. On the day of the attack several buses,

taxis and trucks entered the township carrying IFP

supporters . other IFP members marched to the township from

hostels in Katlehong. The atmosphere in the township prior to

the attack was tense as local residents feared there would be

a break out of violence following the rally. From all

accounts it would seem that the first group of hostel

dwellers made it safely to the stadium. At about lOhOD, 300

IFP members from the local hostel were marching towards the

stadium which is situated about 2km from the hostel.

Residents claim that the men were heavily armed and that they

were allegedly intimidating people as they passed. The group

were about 500rn from the stadium when they were fired on by

people wielding AK 47's. After the incident the scheduled

rally was cancelled and members of the SAP escorted the IFP

members back to the hostel.

The allegations made by Khoza that the attack was planned by

the ANC have been denied. Following the incident both the ANC

and Inkatha blamed agents provocateur for the carnage. Both

organisations claimed that the attack was provoked with the

aim of derailing the peace process. The Board is continuing

its investigation into the attack.

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Vosloorus:

Three days after the attack on IFP members in Thokoza, four

bus passengers were killed in Vosloorus when a man without

.., any reason opened fire with an AK 47 rifle. The bus driver

allegedly tried to turn the man away because the bus was

full, he then apparently opened fire. An eyewitness claimed

the man did not ask any questions as he cold-bloodedly shot

the driver and then turned his attention to the passengers.

There were also unconfirmed reports that the attacker left

•

the scene in a mini-bus from which more shots were fired at

the bus.

2. SOWETO:

Mofola South:

Simmering tensions in Mofolo reached fever pitch early this

month when members of the IFP went on the rampage killing

local residents. Themba Khoza of the IFP Youth Brigade

claimed that the IFP had attacked the residents after hearing

of the attack on their members in Thokoza. On Sunday

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September 8, the day of the attack the IFP had gathered to

launch a branch in Motolo Central . Residents in the area

refused to allow the IFF members to gather and thus the IFP

decided to proceed to the Dobsonville Stadium. According to

residents as the IFP members passed their homes they threw

stones and damaged several house along the route. The crowd

of IFF supporters remained at the Dobsonville Stadium for at

least three hours.

Trouble started when the IFP members left the stadium at

about 16hOO , eyewitnesses claim that members of the crowd

started breaking windows and looting homes in White city and

Mofolo Central. Residents also claim that members of the SAP

arrived but failed to intervene, instead they provided the

men with an escort and according to some residents the looted

goods were placed in police casspirs. Fourteen people were

confirmed dead in the area. Most of the victims were old- age

pensioners who were unable to move when their homes were

attacked. In one instance they attacked and killed Mr

Simelane, a blind man. Simelane apparently owned two shops

and members of the IFP removed the day's takings. Perhaps the

most brutal attack was the massacre of the Motsoeneng family.

Elliot Motsoeneng returned to his Mofolo Central home from a

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stokvel only to find that his wife, young daughter, elderly

mother and sister had been brutally murdered. Mr Motsoeneng

said he returned home at about 15h30 and that from a distance

he could see Inkatha members i n the streets. " Some were in my

yard and the police were outside . I was to scared to go in .

People were running away_ When the Inkatha people moved off I

asked the police if I could go inside and see what was going

on. I saw my dog lying in the yard, still chained. They had

shot it and stabbed it!! .

When Mr Motsoeneng first entered the house he found the body

of his elderly mother, she was covered in blood. He then

entered her bedroom where he found his sister lying next to

the bed , she had been stabbed and shot . Inside the cupboard

he saw his daughter Jenett (16) she had been stabbed and her

jeans were partly pulled down. Mr Motsoeneng said that he

believed that his daughter and sister had been raped . He then

started looking for his wife, he found her behind a pile of

blankets, she too had been stabbed and shot. The attackers

also stole the family television set, radio, wall clock and

some money . They also broke the wardrobes and the dinning

room suite.

•

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At a house in White City, Jabavu a pregnant woman, Rebecca

Mothapo was stabbed and shot . She is presently in a critical

condition in Baragwanath. Her brother who was allegedly

sleeping at the time of the attack was stabbed to death . At

another house in White City, Jabavu a pensioner was stabbed

t o death while she lay hidden under her bed.

Later in the evening the crowd of IFP members ran into an ANC

aligned group of youths at the Crossroads intersection in

Soweto. A confrontation ensued between the two groups.

Several hand grenades were thrown and several IFP members

were killed in the clash. Members of the SAP who were

allegedly accompanying the IFP members at the time fled the

scene . After the clash the remaining IFP members made their

way to the Nancefield Hostel allegedly continuing their

attacks on local residents.

In most of the statements taken shortly after the attack,

residents claim that their homes were looted a nd when they

asked the SADF or the SAP to intervene they refused . One

woman alleges that when she asked the SADF to help her, she

was told t o run as another group of Inkatha people were

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approaching . One victim claimed that Inkatha members hijacked

a truck in full view of members of the SADF in order to

remove her belongings.

Mshenguville:

Sporadic attacks in Mshenguville continue. Six people were

killed and several others injured when renewed fighting broke

out in the area at the beginning of the month . One of the

latest victims was a five-year - old child who was shot

twice in the stomach. At least 30 people have lost their

lives in the squatter camp since the violence began in July .

Squatters attempting to flee the violence in the camp have

become the latest victims. They are alleg'edlY prevented from

leaving by members of Inkatha . Residents claim that they have

had to pay up to R40 before being allowed to dismantle their

shacks and leave the area.

Sebokeng:

Eight men awaiting trial on 38 charges of murder following

the attack on the night vigil of Christoffel Nangalembe were

granted bail of R3 000 each in the Vanderbijlpark

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Magistrate ' s Court this month . However, one of the accused,

David Mabothe failed to appear in court and a warrant for his

arrest has been issued . A spokesperson for the police said

that although seven of the men had been in prison until the

granting of bail , Mabothe had been released earlier to appear

in another case in the vereeniging Magistrate ' s Court . He

paid bail in regard to the charge in Vereeniging and his

current whereabouts are unknown.

Khetisi Kheswa dubbed the "Vaal Monster " by residents in the

area was sentenced along with h is mot her t o six years

imprisonment for illegal possession of arms . However,

residents claim that despite Kheswa being sentenced they have

seen him in the township. , A report in the city Press of

September 29 claims that Kheswa is out on R3 000 bail pending

his appeal against sentence.

swanieville :

Five men joined seven others who appeared in the Krugersdorp

Magistrate's Court this week in connection with the

Swan ieville massacre which left 29 people dead and many

- 25-

injured . The men were not asked to plead and the case was

postponed .

Koster:

.. On Satur day September 28 1991, one of the Board's researchers

was passing through Koster. On the road travelling towards

Koster , several buses carrying members of the IFP were

passed . Approximately five kilometres from the town centre a

road block manned by members of the SAP had been set up. The

Board ' s researcher ' s car was stopped and thoroughly searched.

There were some Board reports in the car as well as some ANC

publications . Members of the SAP then radioed for a senior

officer to come down to the r oad block to check the

• documents. While this was happening , two of the buses filled with IFP members arrived. They were clearly armed with pangas , knobkerries , and spears . The buses were not searched

and allowed to continue through the roadblock. On the other

hand all taxi's and cars who clearly had no IFP members

inside were stopped and searched. Passengers were made to

get out of the cars and taxis and all their belongings were

searched. No such searches were carried out on IFP members in

the buses . After about seven minutes, a captain arrived from

•

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Koster, the researcher ' s documents were returned and she was

allowed to proceed .

It was subsequently reported that there were sporadic clashes

in Reagile township in Koster between members of the IFP and

ANC. The IFP had attended a funeral in the area and

apparently started throwing stones at residents when leaving

the funeral . Residents allegedly retaliated by firing on

Inkatha members .

VI . TRAIN ATTACKS:

Train commuters have borne the brunt of terror attacks this

month . They have been targeted in only what can be described

as a deliberate campaign of mass terror . However, it is not

only train commuters who are being attacked, passengers in

taxi's and buses have been targeted . Attacks which took part

in the early part of t he month were seen as deliberate

attempts to derail the peace process . But subsequent attacks

have taken place without regard for the identity of the

victims. The first attack on commuters took place on

September 2, when scores of taxi ' s and private vehicles were

•

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-27-

stoned as they passed the Nancefield Hostel. Reports were

also received that people alighting at Nancefield station

were being attacked by people allegedly belonging to the IFP.

A member of the IFP was shot on a Soweto bound train on

september 16, making him the tenth victim to die in political

violence since the signing of the peace accord on September

14. The IFP said that two men boarded the train between

Inhlazane and Merafe stations at about lShOO saying they were

looking for Zulus. They apparently opened fire and killed an

IFP supporter. On September 17 about 60 armed Selby Hostel

dwellers harassed commuters at the westgate railway station

and bus terminus . The men who were armed with shields,

sticKs, and spears and wearing white headbands, left the

hostel at about 06h50 and began threatening and chasing

commuters. Nobody was injured and the group returned to the

hostel after the police arrived. The hostel dwellers had

allegedly gone to the station after they had heard rumours

that a hostel dweller had been killed at a nearby cafe . There

was apparently no substance to the rumour and once this was

established the men returned to the hostel.

•

•

-28-

On September 19 a man was killed and five policemen were

injured in three incidents of violence on Soweto-bound trains

during the peak period . The SAP claims that seven policemen

were on duty on a train to Naledi when they were approached

by several passengers at Phomolong Station. The commuters

told the police that they were being attacked in another

coach . When the policemen went to investigate they were

attacked with knobkerries and sticks. Three policemen drew

their pistols and fired shots, however the men managed to

escape. A police spokesperson said that leaders of the hostel

dwellers at Dube had complained that the police had fired

unnecessarily in this incident .

The SAP announced this month that the two alleged ringleaders

of the Jeppe train massacre last year which claimed the lives

of 26 people were "without doubt" Inkatha members. Police

released their names and said a top priority search was on. A

third suspect has been arrested and is due to appear in court

soon.

•

•

- 29 -

VII. THE NATIONAL PEACE ACCORD:

The National Peace Accord was signed in Johannesburg on

September 14 1991, despite the presence of heavily armed

Inkatha Freedom Party members outside the venue and the

upsurge of violence in the Reef townships. A last minute

compromise between the Inkatha Freedom Party and the ANC on

the key issues of traditional weapons and private armies

saved the day. The mechanisms proposed by the accord are

unique in terms of the powers they give to parties and

individuals outside the Government to exercise control over

violence. Chief among these will be a permanent paid,

multiparty National Peace committee - with subordinate

regional and local committees - to enforce codes of conduct

for the police and political parties to try to prevent

political violence; and a police ombudsman - who need not be

a menber of the SAP - to investigate complaints against the

police.

other important elements of the peace accord include:

* A code of conduct for the police which holds members

accountable to society, not to the Government, and stresses

•

•

- 30 -

restraint on police handling of political unrest and

violence .

* A code of conduct for political parties which forbids them from making any statements inciting violence or conducting

any act which may cause violence .

* The appointment of a police board, with equal

representation for the force and members of the public, to

advise on future policing policy .

* The setting up of special police units, headed by a

general, to investigate allegations of misconduct by members

of the SAP •

* The creation of a special unit , also headed by a general,

to investigate political violence.

* The setting up of special criminal courts to deal solely

with cases of political violence.

* The requirement that political parties refrain from violence and actively discourage members and supporters from

carrying weapons to political meetings.

-31-

* A commitment by the Government to devote funds for the reconstruction and resettlement of communities ravaged by

political violence .

• The signing of the peace accord is indeed a step in the right direction, however, the question still remains whether the

supporters of the individual parties who signed the accord

will honour the peace initiative as their own or merely pay

lip- service to it .

VIII. NATAL , . • ; 1 . The Maphurnulo Inquest .

• The inques t into the death of Chief Mhlabun z i ma Maphumulo i s continuing (for details on the murder see March report). Key

witness, Sipho Madlala, who is under ANC protection, alleges

that several killers were employed by a security policeman to

murder the Chief. He also claims that, whilst he was not

directly involved in the Chief's assassination, he was

involved in a number of other attacks against anti-apartheid

activists, all on the orders of security policemen . These

attacks dated back to 1986 (The Sunday Star 8/9/1991).

• .. f . iF

•

•

-32-

However, at an identification parade, Madlala was unable to

pick out two of the policemen who he alleges gave him his

orders (The star 18/9/1991). He further alleged that the

police had drawn up a "hit list" of Natal activists which was

t opped by ANC Midlands leader and National Executive

Committee member Harry Gwala ( Business Day 19/9/1991). Later

in the month, at a second identification parade, Madlala was

able to pick out two SADF members, whom he alleges were

members of a hit squad (The Sowetan 26/9/1991).

2. The Trust Feed Massacre. (For details of the incident see

August report) .

Seven policemen, two captains, a sergeant and four special

constables, have now been arrested in connection with this

incident. The state alleges that the massacre took place on

the orders of the late Major Deon Terblanche. Terblanche was

the head of the Pietermaritz~urg riot unit at the time.

Further allegations by the state are that the attack took

place on the request of a local Inkatha leader, Jerome

Gabela. Shortly after the massacre IFP leader Mangosuthu

Buthelezi said that Inkatha would sue if any newspaper or

individual blamed Inkatha for the killing. Later he claimed

•

•

- 33 -

that, following investigations by his lawyer, it had been

established that the victims had been members of Inkatha. The

trial, in which these issues will be addressed , is set down

for October 15 (The Sunday Star 15/9/1991) .

3. General.

According to the latest report of the Democratic Party's

Unrest Monitoring Group there has been no significant

abatement of the violence in the area. At least 97 people

died during August bringing the total for the year to close

to BOO.

It is thus abundantly clear that the peace agreement signed

between the IFP and the ANC in February of this year has had

little or no effect .

IX.CISKEI

The crisis in Ciskei continues to dominate the region. The

military government remains in conflict with the regional ANC

and other organisations and relations with Transkei do not

seem to have improved noticeably . Military ruler Brigadier

•

•

- 34-

Oupa Gqozo has also lost his covert military grouping,

International Researchers/Ciskei Intelligence Services, which

was reportedly closed down at the end of August. In an

apparent attempt to secure more support, the Ciskei

government has moved closer to the Inkatha Freedom Party.

Gqozo has revived a system of local government which may be

used to give his supporters influential positions and is

promoting his African Democratic Movement' (ADM). Gqozo also

appears to be trying to get the support of former Lennox Sebe

supporters: in an extraordinary move, he told a Johannesburg

journalist that Sebe was welcome to return home. "We told him

all is forgiven and he should return home peacefully," said

Gqozo .

1.1 International Researchers/Ciskei Intelligence Services .

Last month, in response to continued pressure the South

African authorities finally forced Ciskei to close down

IR/CIS (see previous reports).

On August 30, the military government announced that the unit

had been closed and that its functions would be taken over by

the ciskei Defence Force (CDF). The night before, south

•

•

- 35 -

African Director-General of Foreign Affairs, Neil van

Heerden, admitted at a public meeting that the SADF chief,

General Kat Liebenberg, would have told Gqozo to close down

the unit at an earlier meeting as it was becoming an

embarrassment , although Van Heerden went on to deny that

South Africa had any links with the unit . Although the unit

has been officially closed down, there are fears that the

former members will continue to operate as individuals or

even that a similar group under a different name will be set

up to continue the same work.

Points of concern:

* The Ciskei Intelligence Service Decree, issued on April 4 this year, which allowed for the setting up of CIS

(effectively allowing International Researchers to change its

name to Ciskei Intelligence Services rather than a new unit

being set up ) has not been " .. ithdrawn;

* IR/CrS chief Anton Nieuwoudt told a Bisho court on September 17 that the Ciskei government had offered him

another contract identical to the one just terminated.

Although Niewoudt told the court that he intended going

•

•

-36-

farming in the Transvaal, he mentioned that when ANC

officials from the region travel to the USA next year, "we"

will be there to meet them .

* IR/CIS member Paul Oeschger appears to be working now as

Brigadier Gqozo's bodyguard. Two more men linked to the unit,

Lieutenant-Colonel Chris Nel and colonel Ockert

Swanepoel,appeared to be retaining their positions in

Military Intelligence. Other operatives used by IR/CIS were

not necessarily officially employed by the unit and will

presumably remain in their jobs.

* It is known that the unit had a collection of weapons which

were initially stored in a house in the ministerial compound .

At the time the weapons arrived unit members were told that

South African officials had no knowledge of the weapons being

brought in. Ciskei has refused to disclose where the weapons

are or what they are intended for.

1.2 The Sebe/Guzana inquest.

The inquest into the deaths of Ciskei rebels Charles Sebe and

onward Guzana is continuing in the Bisho Supreme Court. The

•

•

-37 -

key part of the inquest revolves around, firstly, the

question of whether Ciskei authorities initiated a !l false

coup" plot or merely played along once they heard of a

genuine plot; and secondly , the position of the IR/ers unit

in the operation which led to the deaths .

Allegations have been made that IR/ CIS planned and controlled

the operation. Unit chief NieuwQudt has denied this, instead

stating that they provided the intelligence information which

resulted in the COF setting up roadblocks to stop Sebe and

Guzana.

There were also allegat ions that State President F W de Klerk

and Foreign Affairs minister pik Botha knew of and supported

the alleged c oup attempt, which South African officials have

since publicly denied .

1 . 3 The African Democratic Movement (ADM)

Gqozo's new grouping, the ADM, is being seen as an attempt to

secure himself a position in negotiations and as the base for

a future alliance with both the IFP and the South African

government. The ADM has been closely linked to the change in

•

•

•

-38-

local government, with newly appointed chiefs and headmen

seen as promoting the Movement.

1.4 The Inkatha Connection

Last month Gqozo secretly met with Inkatha Youth Brigade

leader Musa Myeni. Myeni's travel and accommodation costs for

the meeting appear to have been paid by Unidata, a national

information processing company which claimed that' the Myeni

trip was on their behalf to sell a new pensions programme to

Ciskei and there was no link to Inkatha. Myeni called it a

"private, friendly visit" that was "non political" (ECNA

10/9/1991). At the time Inkatha denied plans for the two

groupings to get together and Ciskei refused to confirm the

meeting. Since then links with Inkatha have become more open.

On September 2 Gqozo was seen on SASe TV with IFP leader

Mangosuthu Suthelezi calling on all moderate leaders to join

together.

•

• (

•

-39-

X. CONCLUSION:

It is unfortunate that whilst most political movements in the

country appear to be genuinely committed to moving towards

peace and finding solutions to the violence which has savaged

large parts of South Africa , the CP should threaten violence

if their political demands are not met . It is even more

unfortunate that they refuse to corne to the negotiation table

in an attempt to settle those demands . When an extreme right

wing group like the Orde Boerevolk recognises the need for

discussion surely the CP should realise that a stand like

theirs will in no way contribute to peace and stability in

south Africa. The moves taken by the SAP to make themselves

more accountable to the public at large, as set out in the

Peace Accord, are to be welcomed, as are the ongoing

investigations into allegations of police misconduct around

the country. However, if the SAP want to move to the position

of having the image of being non partisan and apolitical,

they will have to make dramatic moves to shed the political

baggage of the past. units like Koevoet and Vlakplaas were

used for political policing and as such have a political

image. There is no place for such units in the new police

force.

•

•

Independent Boord of Inquiry

PO Box 32293 Braomfonleln 2017 Johannesburg South Afrco Pi'

VII. NATIONAL PEACE ACCORD ••••••.•..••.• 29-31

VIII. NATAL:

1. The Maphumulo Inquest .... ..... ... . . . . 31-32

2. The Trust Feed Massacre .............. 32-33

3. General .... .. .................. . . . . .. ... 33

• IX. CISKEI: . •• .....•.•... •••••. . ....... . 33 - 38

X. CONCLUSION: .. ........ ................... 39

•

- 1 -

I . INTROQUCTION :

At least 121 people lost their lives in the week prior to the

~ signing of the National Peace Accord (NPA) , and although

there has been a marked drop in the number of deaths since

the signing , sporadic attacks on individuals commuters and

communities continue .

•

The assassination of Civic Associations of the Southern

Transvaal (Cast) , general secretary, Sam Ntuli in Thokoza on

the East Rand has raised fears that violence could break out

in the area once again . The situation in Thokoza remains

tense following the massacre of 23 Inkatha supporters on

Sunday September 8.

Despite the NPA being formally adopted by the government, the

African National Congress (ANe) and the Inkatha Freedom Party

(IFF), it is clear that the NPA has not had much impact on

the ground, for example, since the signing, at least 15

•

•

-2-

people have been killed and scores injured. Recent attacks

have focused on commuters travelling by train.

Concern has also been expressed this month over the behaviour

and actions of certain members of the SAP based in

Carletonville and Potchefstroorn. The Board is currently

assisting members of the special task force appointed by

state President FW de Klerk to investigate allegations of

alleged police involvement in violence, and the board has

played a key role in the recent suspension of 11 policeman

based at the Welverdiend Unrest unit in the area. However, it

seems clear that on one level the Board is receiving full

co-operation from the head of the investigation team but on

another there seems to be an all out effort to undermine the

investigation at every turn. Since the investigation got

underway in June this year 10 people involved in the

investigation, have been arrested, including one of the

board's researchers and the local ANC chairperson in the

area. The Board has expressed concern over the arrests and

trusts that they are not an attempt to frustrate the

investigation particularly as part of the bail conditions

prevent the Board's researcher and the ANC chairperson being

within soam of Carletonville Police Station and the

Carletonville Magistrate's Court.

•

•

-)-

A matter of particular concern, this month, regarding the

security forces is the announcement that the Vlakplaas unit

is to be expanded by incorporating former members of the

Koevoet unit. Both these units have had numerous allegations

of misconduct laid against them. Several allegations about

police involvement in the Natal violence have also come to

light in recent months and these will be tested in court

during October.

The fear that the issue of the three right wing hunger

strikers would lead to unity amongst right wing organisations

has proved unfounded. The strike has ended and numerous

allegations have been made that it was not in fact a bona

fide strike. The most disturbing development in this area is

the militant stand which the Conservative Party has taken

following its Transvaal congress. The message of the party is

that a white general election must be called or they will be

forced to extra parliamentary methods and such methods do not

exclude violence.

- 4 -

II. STATE INSTITUTIONS

1. The South African Police.

In the Vrye Weekblad of August 30 it was revealed that four

~ men, who had recently returned to South Africa from ANC camps

in Africa, had signed statements in which they admitted to

being Security police agents. The four are Raymond Bongani

Malinga, Alpheus Kheswa, Samuel Mpho Motjoadi and Patrick

Dlongwana. Between them they admit to the murder of 23

anti-apartheid activists including United Democratic Front

leader and human rights lawyer Victoria Mxenge. The men all

claim that they were severely tortured by the ANC and were

forced to make the admissions. However none of them deny that

• they were agents of the state. The ANC deny that any of the statements were made under duress. In response the SAP stated that it is against official policy to identify informants but

that notice had been taken of the allegations and that the

men will be contacted in the course of an official

investigation.

-5-

Further information that has come to light in this area is

that despite requests from many parties, including the Board l

the Vlakplaas Askari unit is not to he disbanded but in fact

will be expanded with the inclusion of members of the Koevoet

unit which operated in the then South West Africa (Vrye

~ Weekblad 20/9/1991). This unit was the official SAP

•

anti - insurgency unit in the country and there were numerous

allegations of the use of excessive brutality by the unit in

the course of the bush war. It appears hard to reconcile the

expansion of this unit, in this manner, with the new image

which the SAP are striving for in this country.

On August 28, Morris Mondau, who claimed to be a police agent

recruited to spy on PWV regional secretary Barbara Hogan was,

presented to the media by the ANC. The man had been

apprehended at the ANC l s regional office and found to be in

possession of a two way radio. He then claimed to be a police

agent and said that his handler was a Van Wyk. One of the

police officers with whom Hogan often liaises is a Colonel

Van Wyk. The police denied that the ANC was being spied upon

as a political organisation but said that no ANC member was

above the law.

•

•

-6-

2 . Welverdiend Unrest Unit:

The Board and the Carletonville ANC branch continue to

assist the SAP appointed special investigation team

investigate serious allegations of abuse against members of

the Welverdiend Unrest Unit. However, despite the Board's

full co- operation the investigation continues to be

undermined . Since the investigation began in June, eight

people who have laid charges or who are potential witnesses

to the investigation have been arrested, five of whom now

face charges ranging from possession or a tlrearm and

ammunition to robbery. There has been strong evidence to

suggest that certain members of the SAP are not in favour of

the investigation and have opened cases against potential

witnesses in an attempt to frighten them off testifying

should the attorney general decide to prosecute.

A further development has been the arrest and subsequent

charging of one of the Board ' s researchers and the local ANC

chairperson. The two have been charged with intimidation and

assault of a police officer. The Board's researcher is also

-7-

on a second charge of criminal injuria.

Obviously, the arrest of potential witnesses does not bode

well for the investigation , particularly when the SAP is at

~ this juncture attempting to improve its image. The SAP is

constantly asking people to come forward and help with

investigations but experience in Khutsong has proved that it

is not always as simple as that.

•

3. The South African Defence Force (SADF1.

Felix Ndimene , who was formerly a sergeant with the Fifth

Reconnaissance Regiment (5 Reece), has returned to his home

country of Mozambique. Ndimene claims that he was abducted

from the country in 1982 by the SADF and forced to serve with

5 Reece. He has made a number of allegations about the unit,

including their involvement in the Reef conflict (see

previous reports). In a statement to the press Ndirnene said

that he is prepared to testify before any credible commission

of inquiry but that he had not been prepared to co- operate

with the SAP as he feared for his own safety within South

Africa.

-8-

III . RIGHT WING

The following issues dominated t his area in September : the

aftermath of the Ventersdorp i ncident, the hunger strike of

... the Orde Boerevolk (DB) members , the increasing militancy of

the Conservative Party (CP) and the sentencing of two Durban

right wingers .

•

1 . The Aftermath of Ventersdorp.

(For details on the incident itself see August report) .

Following threats from the Afrikaner Weerstand Beweging (AWB)

that the meeting would be disrupted, the National Party (NP)

announced that a meeting in Parys, which was to be addressed

by the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Kraai van Niekerk, had

been cancelled . The Democratic Party (OP) said that in doing

so the NP had set a dangerous precedent. The CP said that the

cancellation of the meeting indicated that the NP was no

longer in touch with the feelings of the "Volk" . The AWe

announced that they were waiting for the next meeting (The

Star 27/8/1991). Information from police sources indicated

•

- 9 -

that AWB members from allover the country were going to

converge on the meeting bearing firearms and that if the

police fired teargas at the right wingers this would be

returned in kind (Beeld 28/8/1991) .

In response the NP announced that in the future tickets will

be issued to people who wish to attend the Party's meetings

and that only such ticket holders would be admitted. On

August 28 a NP meeting at Dewetsdorp in the Orange Free state

went off without incident. However after the meeting Andries

Beyers, Chief Secretary of the CP, said that until there was

another white election it would not be safe for the NP to

hold any public meetings. Eugene Terre/Blanche, leader of the

AWB, announced that his organisation would continue to

• "organise aga,inst such meetings" (Rapport 1/9/1991).

2. The Order Boerevolk Hunger Strike.

The hunger strike by three OB members, Henry Martin, Adriaan

Maritz and Load van Schalkwyk, was the major issue of early

september for most right wing groupings (for further details

on the three see August report). By late August the three had

all been on hunger strike for over five weeks with Martin

•

•

-10-

having gone without food for nine weeks. All three were moved

to H F Verwoerd hospital and every day right wing groupings

held demonstrations outside the hospital. On August 29, after

the government had announced that no indemnity would be

granted to the three, they announced that they would fast

until they died (The star 29/8/1991) .

In an unprecedented move various anti-apartheid movements

came out in support of the men's demand for their release.

, The general secretary of the South African Council of

Churches, Rev Frank Chikane, said that he was concerned for

the lives of the three individuals. ANC president, Nelson

Mandela expressed "keen disappointment" at the goverment's

decision (The Citizen 30/8/1991) .

On their side, right wing groupings were unanimous in their

support for the three men and at one stage it appeared as if

they could become a rallying point for the entire right wing.

Eugene Terre'Blanche said that after the events of

Ventersdorp the government could not afford to have another

three corpses on their hands. Leader of the CP, Dr Andries

Treurnicht, called for the release of the three on

•

•

-11-

humanitarian grounds. Robert van Tonder leader of the

Boerestaatparty said that the governments decision was an

absolute disgrace (6eeld 30/8/1991). Finally 06 leader Nic

strydom said that if the three were not released then right

wing violence was a strong possibility .

The chance that the issue could unify the right wing fell

away after the trio were visited by Nelson Mandela. Mandela

came to visit them in order to discuss their alleged

involvement with elements of the security forces (see August

Report). Whilst the visit was requested by the OB it was

condemned by virtually every other right wing grouping and

caused the deputy leader of the OB, Coen Vermaak, to resign

in protest (Beeld 3/9/1991). Another issue of contention

between the OB and other groups is the former's commitment to

negotiations with all parties including the ANC. Mandela went

on to have a meeting with state President F W de Klerk to

call for the release of the men but the government refused to

budge on the issue (The Star 3/9/1991).

Finally the three ended the strike on September 9 and

announced that they would be accepting the governments offer

of R5000 bail each. Martin claimed to have been on strike for

•

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63 days, Maritz for 56 days and Van Schalkwyk for 49 days.

Soon hereafter indications began emerging that these figures

were not correct. By September 12 the three were eating solid

foods according to the Department of Correctional Services.

According to medical experts this was weeks ahead of schedule

(Business Day 12/ 9/ 1991). After reviewing reports of medical

tests done towards the end of the stri ke, Da vid Green,

director of the National Medical and Dental Association, s a id

that it was unlikely that bona fide hunger strikers would

have suffered such minimal damage after so prolonged a fast

(Business Day 13/ 9/ 1991).

Meanwhile, in reaction to allegations that a security

policeman was part of the striker's OS cell and had given the

~ orders that the Durban parGel bomb be sent, the SAP said that

the person involve d was a trainee constable. The man ha s been

suspended and is to be a State witness in the court case (The

Star 30/ 8/ 1991). The three men maintain that they were agents

for Military Intelligence and have said that they will give

evidence to this effect at the proposed commission on

violence and intimidation.

•

- 13 -

3. Increasing Militancy of the Conservative Party .

I n mid September the CP held their Transvaal congress and it

was marked by a far more militant tone than earlier

congresses . Amongst the proposed motions was a proposal that

all NP public representatives be tried for treason should the

CP corne to power (Business Day 12/9/1991). Dr Andries

Treurnicht, leader of the CP, said that whites would never

submit to a black government and that the peace accord was

the first step to giving the ANC control over the security

forces (The Sunday star 15/9/ 1991). Deputy leader of the CP,

Dr Ferdi Hartzenberg, said that any constitutional change in

the country would be seen as an act of aggression by the

party . He also made it clear that, if necessary , whites would

.. turn to violence to achieve their aims. Koos van der Merwe

said that the CP should infiltrate and take over the SADF so

that I' we will be able to use it when the time comes to fight"

(The Citizen 16/ 9/ 1991).

4. Trials involving Right Wingers .

In Durban on September 13, David Botha, an AWB "kommandant

and Adriaan Smuts, an AWB "veldkornet", were each given seven

•

-14-

death sentences for an attack on a bus in Durban on October 9

1990 in which seven black commuters were killed. The men also

had links with the OB. During the trial they said it was the

official policy of the 08 that for every white person killed

by a black, ten blacks must die. They claimed that their

attack had been in revenge for the fatal stabbing of a \

•

-15-

that earlier in the day, four men had come to his home

looking for his son. He said the men were strangers and that

he had informed them that his son was not at home. Ntuli's

death comes only a day after he met with Inkatha officials to

discuss the implementation of the peace accord .

Mystery surrounds the death in Diepkloof, Soweto of Papa John

Manyakalla, a member of the South African Communist Party

and ANC Youth League . Police have claimed that he committed

suicide after his parents found his body in the outside

toilet with a bullet wound in the left ear on Friday

September 20 1991 . He was last seen alive on September 19. He

was found by his parents squatted on the toilet floor,

motionless and cold. Along side him lay a pistol placed next

~ to his radio. (Weekly Ma il 27/09/ 1991). Manyakalla's pa r ents

claim that on September 19 they spotted two vehicles parked

outside their house and that when they went to bed the

vehicles were still there. When the police were summoned

following the discovery of the body, they' claimed it was

suicide. However, Manyakalla's father Isaac, said that his

son was right handed and the bullet wound was in the left

ear . He also said if his son had shot himself with his left

hand, he would have been unable t o replace the gun on his

- 16-

right side . Apparently there was very little b lood in the

toilet, suggesting t hat he was killed somewhere else and

dumped i n the toilet.

~ V. REEF VIOLENCE:

•

1. EAST RAND:

Thokoza:

Confusion still surrounds the massacre of 23 Inkatha members

in Thokoza on the East Rand o n Sunday September 8 , 1991. IFP

youth leader Themba Khoza has claimed that a man claiming to

be a member of the ANC was arrested shortly after the attack .

Khoza says that the man was arrested with an AK47 which was

still li very hot " from use. He alleges that the man was placed

in a policevan and that several Inkatha members then

questioned the man who claimed that he was a member of

Umkhonto we Sizwe the armed wing of the ANC and that he had

trained in Maputo, Mozambique and that he had recently

returned to the country . Khoza also claimed that the man said

he was from Soweto and that he had received orders from the

•

-17-

ANC NEe to attack Inkatha in Thokoza. It is worth noting

that members of the SAP have flatly denied that they arrested

anyone on t he day and said t hat Khoza's allegations were

"blatant lies " . Police have s ubsequently released an

identikit of a man wanted for questioning in connection with

the attack.

The latest information is that a man fitting the description

of the identikit was arrested in Alberton on Saturday

September 28, following an attempted bank robbery . The police

have not as yet positively linked the man arrested in

Alberton to the Thokoza attack.

Inkatha ' s Thokoza secr etary , Abraham Mzizi alleged that two

~ men opened fire on members of the Hoste l Dwe lle r s '

Association which has close ties with the IFP, a s they were

marching to the local stadium to hold a peace meeting. The

police however claim that three men were involved in the

attack and that they opened fire from a house as the marchers

passed by.

A week before the attack the IFP had distributed a pamphlet

in the area, announcing the peace meeting at the local

•

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Thokoza stadium. On the day of the attack several buses,

taxis and trucks entered the township carrying IFP

suppor ters . other IFP members marched to the township from

hostels in Katlehong . The atmosphere in the township prior to

the attack was tense as local residents feared there would be

a break out of violence following the rally. From all

accounts it would seem that the first group of hostel

dwellers made it safely to the stadium. At about lOhOC, 300

IFP members from the local hostel were marching towards the

stadium which is situated about 2km from the hostel.

Residents claim that the men were heavily armed and that they

were allegedly intimidating people as they passed. The group

were about SOOm from the stadium when they were fired on by

people wielding AK 47's . After the incident the scheduled

rally was cancelled and members of the SAP escorted the IFP

members back to the hostel .

The allegations made by Khoza that the attack was planned by

the ANC have been denied. Following the incident both the ANC

and Inkatha blamed agents provocateur for the carnage. Both

organisations claimed that the attack was provoked with the

aim of derailing the peace process. The Board is continuing

its investigation into the attack.

-19 -

Vosloorus:

Three days after the a ttack on IFP members in Thokoza, four

bus passengers were killed in Vosloorus when a man without

~ any reason opened fire with an AK 47 rifle. The bus driver

allegedly tried to turn the man away because the bus was

full , he then apparently opened fire. An eyewitness claimed

the man did not ask any questions as he cold- bloodedly shot

the driver and then turned his attention to the passengers.

There were also unconfirmed reports that the attacker left

the scene in a mini-bus from which more shots were fired at

• the bus.

2. SOWETO:

Motolo South:

Simmering tensions in Mofolo reached fever pitch early this

month when members of the IFP went on the rampage killing

local residents. Themba Khoza of the IFP Youth Brigade

claimed that the IFP had attacked the residents after hearing

of the attack on their members in Thokoza. On Sunday

-20-

September 8, the day of the attack the IFP had gathered to

launch a branch in Motolo Central. Residents in the area

refused to allow the IF? members to gather and thus the IFP

decided to proceed to the Dobsonville Stadium. According to

residents as the IFP members passed their homes they threw

4t stones and damaged several house along the route. The crowd of IFF supporters remained at the Dobsonville Stadium for at

least three hours .

•

Trouble started when the IFP members left the stadium at

about 16hOO, eyewitnesses claim that members of the crowd

started breaking windows and looting homes in White city and

Mofolo Central. Residents also claim that members of the SAP

arrived but failed to intervene, instead they provided the

men with an escort and according to some residents the looted

goods were placed in police casspirs. Fourteen people were

confirmed dead in the area. Most of the victims were old-age

pensioners who were unable to move when their homes were

attacked. In one instance they attacked and killed Mr

Simelane, a blind man . Simelane apparently owned two shops

and members of the IFP removed the day's takings. Perhaps the

most brutal attack was the massacre of the Motsoeneng family.

Elliot Motsoeneng returned to his Mofolo Central home from a

•

•

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stokvel only to find that his wife, young daughter, elderly

mother and sister had been brutally murdered. Mr Motsoeneng

said he returned home at about 15h30 and that from a distance

he could see Inkatha members in the streets. nSome were in my

yard and the police were outside. I was to scared to go in .

People were running away_ When the Inkatha people moved off I

asked the police if I could go inside and see what was going

on. I saw my dog lying in the yard, still chained. They had

shot it and stabbed it".

When Mr Motsoeneng first entered the house he found the body

of his elderly mother, she was covered in blood. He then

entered her bedroom where he found his sister lying next to

the bed, she had been stabbed and shot. Inside the cupboard

he saw his daughter Jenett (16) she had been stabbed and her

jeans were partly pulled down. Mr Motsoeneng said that he

believed that his daughter and sister had been raped. He then

started looking for his wife, he found her behind a pile of

blankets, she too had been stabbed and shot. The attackers

also stole the family television set, radio, wall clock and

some money_ They also broke the wardrobes and the dinning

room suite.

- 22 -•

At a house in White City, Jabavu a pregnant woman, Rebecca

Mothapo was stabbed and shot . She is presently in a critical

condition in Baragwanath. Her brother who was allegedly

sleeping at the time of the attack was stabbed to death . At

another house in White city, Jabavu a pensioner was stabbed

~ to death while she lay hidden under her bed .

•

Later in the evening the crowd of IFP members ran into an ANC

aligned group of youths at the Crossroads intersection in

Soweto . A confrontation ensued between the two groups.

Several hand grenades were thrown and several IFP members

were killed in the clash. Members of the SAP who were

allegedly accompanying the IFP members at the time fled the

scene. After the clash the remaining IFP members made their

way to the Nancefield Hostel allegedly continuing their

attacks on local residents.

In most of the statements taken shortly after the attack,

residents claim that their homes were looted and when they

asked the SADF or the SAP to intervene they refused. One

woman alleges that when she asked the SADF to help her, she

was told to run as another group of Inkatha people were

•

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approaching . One victim claimed that Inkatha members hijacked

a truck in full view of members of the SADF i n o r der to

remove her bel ongings .

Mshenguville:

Sporadic attacks in Mshenguville continue . Six people were

killed and several others injured when renewed fighting broke

out in the area at the beginning of the month. One of the

latest victims was a five- year- old child who was shot

twice in the stomach. At least 30 people have lost their

lives in the squatter camp since the violence began in July.

squatters attempting to flee the violence in the camp have

become the latest victims . They are allegedly prevented from

~ leaving by members of Inkatha . Residents claim that they have

had to pay up to R40 before being allowed to dismantle their

shacks and leave the area.

Sebokeng:

Eight men awaiting trial on 38 charges of murder following

the attack on the night vigil of Christoffel Nangalembe were

granted bail of R3 000 each in the Vanderbijlpark

•

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Magistrate ' s Court this month . However, one of the accused,

David Mabothe failed to appear in court and a warrant for his

arrest has been issued. A spokesperson for the police said

that although seven of the men had been in prison until the

granting of bail, Mabothe had been released earlier to appear

in another case in the Vereeniging Magistrate's Court . He

paid bail in regard to the charge in Vereeniging and his

current whereabouts are unknown.

Khetisi Kheswa dubbed the "Vaal Monster" by residents in the

area was sentenced along with his mother to six years

imprisonment for illegal possession of arms. However,

residents claim that despite Kheswa being sentenced they have

... seen him in the township. , A report in the City Press of

September 29 claims that Kheswa is out on R3 000 bail pending

his appeal against sentence.

Swanieville:

Five men joined Seven others who appeared in the Krugersdorp

Magistrate ' s Court this week in connection with the

Swanieville massacre which left 29 people dead and many

•

•

-25-

injured. The men were not asked to plead and the case was

postponed.

Koster:

On Saturday September 28 1991, one of the Board ' s researchers

was passing through Koster. On the road travelling towards

Koster, several buses carrying members of the IFP were

passed . Approximately five kilometres from the town centre a

road block manned by members of the SAP had been set up. The

Board's researcher's car was stopped and thoroughly searched .

There were some Board reports in the car as well as some ANC

publications . Members of the SAP then radioed for a senior

officer to come down to the road block to check the

documents. While this was happening, two of the buses fill e d

with IFP members arrived. They were clearly armed with

pangas, knobkerries, and spears. The buses were not searched

and allowed to continue through the roadblock. On the other

hand all taxi's and cars who clearly had no IFP members

inside were stopped and searched. Passengers were made to

get out of the cars and taxis and all their belongings were

searched. No such searches were carried out on IFP members in

the buses. After about seven minutes, a captain arrived from

•

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Koster, the researcher ' s documents were returned and she was

allowed to proceed .

It was subsequently reported that there were sporadic clashes

in Reagile township in Koster between members of the IFP and

ANC. The IFF had attended a funeral in the area and

apparently started throwing stones at residents when leaving

the funeral . Residents allegedly retaliated by firing on

Inkatha members .

VI. TRAIN ATTACKS:

Train commuters have borne the brunt of terror attacks this

4t month. They have been targeted in only what can be described as a deliberate campaign of mass terror. However, it is not

only train commuters who are being attacked, passengers in

taxi's and buses have been targeted. Attacks which took part

in the early part of the month were seen as deliberate

attempts to derail the peace process. But subsequent attacks

have taken place without regard for the identity of the

victims . The first attack on commuters took place on

September 2, when scores of taxi's and private vehicles were

•

•

-27-

stoned as they passed the Nancefield Hostel. Reports were

also received that people alighting at Nancefield Station

were being attacked by peopl e allegedly belonging to the IFP.

A member of the IFP was shot on a Soweto bound train on

September 16, making him the tenth victim to die in political

violence since the signing of the peace accord on September

14. The IFP said that two men boarded the train between

Inhlazane and Merafe stations at about lShOO saying they were

looking for Zulus . They apparently opened fire and killed an

IFP supporter. On September 17 about 60 armed Selby Hostel

dwellers harassed commuters at the westgate railway station

and bus terminus. The men who were armed with shields,

sticks, and spears and wearing white headbands, left the

hostel at about 06h50 and began threatening and chasing

commuters . Nobody was injured and the group returned to the

hostel after the police arrived . The hostel dwellers had

allegedly gone to the station after they had heard rumours

that a hostel dweller had been killed at a nearby cafe. There

was apparently no substance to the rumour and once this was

established the men returned to the hostel.

•

•

- 28-

On September 19 a man was killed and five policemen were

injured in three incidents of violence on Soweto- bound trains

during the peak period. The SAP claims that seven policemen

were o n duty on a train to Naledi when they were approached

by several passengers at Phomolong station. The commuters

told the police that they were being attacked in another

coach . When the policemen went to investigate they were

attacked with knobkerries and sticks. Three policemen drew

their pistols and fired shots, however the men managed to

escape. A police spokesperson said that leaders of the hostel

dwellers at Duhe had complained that the police had fired

unnecessarily in this incident.

The SAP announced this month that the two alleged ringleaders

of the Jeppe train massacre last year which claimed the lives

of 26 people were "without doubt" Inkatha members. Police

released their names and said a top priority search was on. A

third suspect has been arrested and is due to appear in court

soon.

•

•

- 29 -

VII. THE NATIONAL PEACE ACCORD:

The National Peace Accord was signed in Johannesburg on

September 14 1991, despite the presence of heavily armed

Inkatha Freedom Party members outside the venue and the

upsurge of violence in the Reef townships. A last minute

compromise between the Inkatha Freedom Party and the ANC on

the key issues of traditional weapons and private armies

saved the day. The mechanisms proposed by the accord are

unique in terms of the powers they give to parties and

individuals outside the Government to exercise control over

violence. Chief among these will be a permanent paid!

multiparty National Peace Committee - with subordinate

regional and local committees - to enforce codes of conduct

for the police and political parties to try to prevent

political violence; and a police ombudsman - who need not be

a member of the SAP - to investigate complaints against the

police.

other important elements of the peace accord include:

* A code of conduct for the police which holds members

accountable to society, not to the Government, and stresses

•

•

-30-

restraint on police handling of political unrest and

violence .

* A code of conduct for political parties which forbids them

from making any statements inciting violence or conducting

any act which may cause violence .

* The appointment of a police board , with equal representation for the force and members of the public, to

advise on future policing policy.

* The setting up of special police units, headed by a

general, to investigate allegations of misconduct by members

of the SAP .

* The creation of a special unit , also headed by a general, to investigate political violence .

* The setting up of special criminal courts to deal solely with cases of political violence.

* The requirement that political parties refrain from violence and actively discourage members and supporters from

carrying weapons to political meetings.

•

-31-

* A commitment by the Government to devote funds for the

reconstruction and resettlement of communities ravaged by

political violence .

The signing of the peace accord is indeed a step in the right

direction, however, the question still remains whether the

supporters of the individual parties who signed the accord

will honour the peace initiative as their own or merely pay

lip- service to it.

VIII. NATAL

1 . The MaphuIDulo Inquest.

.. The inquest into the death of Chief Mhlabunzima Maphumulo i s

continuing (for details on the murder see March report). Key

witness, Sipho Madlala, who is under ANC protection, alleges

that several killers were employed by a security policeman t o

murder the Chief. He also claims that, whilst he was not

directly involved in the Chief's assassination, he was

involved in a number of other attacks against anti- apartheid

activists, all on the orders of security policemen. These

attacks dated back to 1986 (The Sunday Star 8/ 9/ 1991).

•

•

-32-

However, at an identification parade, Madlala was unable to

pick out two of the policemen who he alleges gave him his

orders (The star 18/9/1991). He further alleged that the

police had drawn up a "hit list" of Natal activists which was

topped by ANC Midlands leader and National Executive

committee member Harry Gwala ( Business Day 19/9/1991). Later

in the month, at a second identification parade, Madlala was

able to pick out two SADF members, whom he alleges were

members of a hit squad (The Sowetan 26/ 9/1991).

2. The Trust Feed Massacre.

August report) .

(For details of the incident see

Seven policemen, two captains, a sergeant and four special

cons tables, have now been arrested in connection with this

incident. The state alleges that the massacre took place on

the order