wmm mmmsm

BUILDING ON THE

Towards a post-apartheid constitution

IN THIS ISSUE Metal wage talks Militarisation • Apartheid death squads Editorial here is a sense in which government's closure of one newspaper, Tand threatened banning of a number of other publications, is justi­ fied. This is not because those publications are necessarily guilty of biased or inaccurate journalism, or even because they are in contravention of the over 100 statutes which limit what may be published. Rather, it is because any government which has as much to hide as South Africa's rulers must fear all but the most tame sections of the media. Nearly half of all the editions of Work In Progress produced over ten years were banned under the Publications Act. Yet not once was it suggested that inaccuracy or false information was the reason for banning. In warning Work In Progress that action against the magazine was being contemplated, Stoffel Botha claims to have looked at 24 articles contained in two editions of the magazine. Yet in not one case does he claim that information in an article was false. The conclusion is clear: publications like Work In Progress face closure or pre-publication censorship because of the accuracy of their reporting and analysis. • When an attorney-general declines to prosecute soldiers who kidnap, assault and threaten with death a political activist because the soldiers were acting in terms of emergency regulations; • when a head of state stops the trial of soldiers accused of murdering a Swapo member at a political meeting because they were 'suppressing terrorism'; • when the ministers of defence and law and order issue special instructions not to allow lawyers access to records necessary for legal action against members of the 'security forces'; • when policemen accept that it is legitimate to commit murder because they believe their victims are associated with the ANC; • when there are ongoing and well-substantiated allegations that police and army personnel are involved in supporting vigilante violence against anti-apartheid activists; • when a policeman on trial for his life refers to security police assassination of ANC activists in a foreign country and SADF support for destabilisation, as if they are common practices; • and when soldiers invade a foreign territory, attack civilian houses in the middle of the night, and burn the bodies of their victims; When these things occur, then the government of Botha, Malan and Vlok is justified in fearing what a competent media might publish.

Work In Progress 53 - April/May 1988 ":':'•

> as a whole, and detailed picture ever of its non-federal, multi-party democ­ "and others emphasise vision for post-apartheid South racy with a mixed economy. that the resultant document will Africa. Other elements in the be no more than a guideline: After two years of extensive guidelines, say ANC officials in 'There were initial suggestions discussion within the banned or­ Lusaka, are intended to create a that we should produce a com- ganisation, officials plete constitution, in the ANC's legal but we argued that affairs department the drafting of such a last month put the document could only finishing touches to correctly be drawn this picture - draft up by elected repre­ guidelines for a post- BUILDING sentatives of all the apartheid South people of our African constitution. country - ideally sit­ These draw on the ting as a constituent experiences of more assembly*. than a dozen African ON THE The struggle countries and at least against apartheid will a dozen others as dis­ also affect conditions parate as Nicaragua under which a con- and Sweden, Cuba stitution is finally and Britain. drafted and im­ FREEDOM plemented, he adds. By mid-year, says 'And the nature of legal affairs depart­ the transfer of power ment head Zola from the apartheid Skweyiya, the docu­ regime to the ma­ ment will be sent for jority will obviously consideration to anti- CHARTER play a major part in apartheid defining the terms. organisations inside The African National Congress is about to release An armed seizure of the country. This, proposed guidelines for a post-apartheid power will bring with Skweyiya believes, constitution. DAVID NIDDRIE reports, ^—^— it different demands could set in motion a and requirements from those of process of debate not dissimilar legal and constitutional frame­ a negotiated hand-over, assum­ to that which led to die drafting work through which the aims ing that is possible. From all and concepts contained in the these perspectives, compiling a of the Freedom Charter in 1955. final constitution would be inap­ The guidelines, the ANC Freedom Charter can be propriate*. hopes, will then be discussed at realised. a seminar of anti-apartheid 'An obvious example is the organisations towards the end of Freedom Charter's third clause: Although die document con­ the year 'somewhere in the that die people shall share in the tains constitutional guidelines frontline states'. country's wealth', adds a senior rather than a comprehensive pic­ official. 'The charter itself does ture of post-apartheid South From slogans to realisation not say how that will happen. Africa, the several dozen papers The ANC's draft document is Pan of the reason for examining delivered to an ANC internal unlikely to be published before future constitutional options is seminar on the subject in die the major components of die in­ to make it possible - to take the first week of March reportedly ternal opposition have seen and idea past the slogans and to­ filled in many of die gaps. commented on it wards realisation'. But key elements of the Despite the priority ANC No breaks with the Charter ANC's draft constitutional gui­ leadership has given to the pro­ The guidelines involve no major delines have already been cess of gaining consensus both breaks with the Freedom

Work In Progress 3 The ANC Charter, although they incor­ countries governed federally - demand a younger man. And so porate some elements not among them the US, Nigeria far, at least publicly, no single, included in 1955 (among them and Czechoslovakia (where they unchallenged candidate has the right to strike, the exclusion spent a week last year). They emerged - partially because of of which has long been a source came away convinced of the the organisation's emphasis on of criticism). necessity to retain unitary gov­ collective leadership. Not surprisingly, the gui­ ernment. The ANC sees The next stratum of demo­ delines envisage a non-racial, federalism as a possible way of cratically elected representation democratic and unitary post- weakening the ability of a will, logically, be in a national apartheid South Africa. democratically-elected govern­ parliament. A single, non-racial Reflecting the ANC's overrid­ ment to control the pace and national parliament lies at the ing commitment to rid South direction of change. heart of the political demands of Africa of its racist heritage, the It is not yet clear whether the the ANC and its allies. guidelines envisage a complete guidelines will be sufficiently But there is within the ANC a ban on all institutions organising detailed to give preference to an strong dislike for the exercise of or structured on racial lines. executive presidency over a popular political participation 'Obviously the National Party prime ministerial system, but only through voting in infre­ would have no place in that so­ there appears to be consensus quent elections for a candidate ciety', says Skweyiya. within the ANC in favour of the who then departs for a distant It is not yet clear where this former. 'We must remember national parliament. leaves organisations such as In - that almost the whole of Africa So the guidelines lay much katha. Officials in Lusaka did has opted for that system. In emphasis on third-tier repre­ not comment specifically on (immediate post-colonial) coun­ sentation in powerful, although Chief Oatsha Buthelezi's Zulu- tries in need of visible and real not fully-autonomous, local based organisation, although symbols of national unity, an government structures. 'In the constitutional committee secre­ executive president can play a GDR (East Germany) local tary ZN 'Job' Jobodwana said: powerful role', says Skweyiya. authorities have substantial con­ 'We see parties like Inkatha and If this is the path chosen, the trol over many areas of industry the bantustan parties as contri­ presidency of post-apartheid and exercise a large amount of buting nothing. Their tribal, autonomy. Local authorities ethnic base will act against the South Africa is likely to be a di­ therefore impact directly on whole concept of a united, rectly-elected post - closer to people's everyday lives', adds democratic South Africa'. that of the US and France than Skweyiya. South Africa's current system. It would require far greater But a number of factors favour What he envisages is a form of naivety than the ANC has dem­ a more collective leadership devolution which will incorpor­ onstrated over the past decades structure. There is, firstly, the ate the advantages of federal to believe that closing down In­ tradition within the ANC itself rule (with easier and more direct katha would destroy the tribal over its 23 years of illegality. access to the corridors of chauvinism that the organisation While Tambo has, particularly power) while avoiding the re­ has succeeded in constructing in the last few years, increasing­ gionalism which often develops around itself. That, however, is ly acquired a more as a result. a matter of practical legal im­ clearly-perceived presidential plementation rather than for stature, the leadership remains Education and the economy constitutional guidelines - the strongly collective. Not surprisingly, in a country in flesh of post-apartheid society, A second point is that, while which unequal education has rather than its constitutional the ANC baulks at any public provided die spark for some of bones. debate on succession to the the most bitter and sustained re- Although the ANC had al­ presidency, Tambo and the sistance to apartheid, the ready committed itself to a other obvious presidential can­ guidelines are emphatic on the unitary post-apartheid state, the didate, Nelson Mandela, are need for free, equal and com­ eight-person constitution com­ both in their 70s. Ronald Rea­ pulsory education in mittee, headed by Congress gan notwithstanding, the energy post-apartheid South Africa. veteran Jack Simons, included and physical resources required In addition, says Jobodwana, in its search for an appropriate of the first post-apartheid presi­ the post-apartheid state will pro­ constitutional model several dent of South Africa may vide 'financial assistance to the

Work In Progress -me ANC children of the working class to Adds Skweyiya: 'Can we hon­ to strike, the guidelines foresee enable them to attend univer­ estly say that on day one we will the contitutional entrenchment sity'. be able to replace all the skills, of the independence of the trade And in line with its emphasis the entire skilled strata, with union movement. "The (March) that the guidelines themselves skilled managers, planners and seminar was very clear that it must be rooted in present real­ workers of our own? Look what did not want to see the trade ities, the ANC emphasises that happened in so many African unions tied in to the ruling the nature of post-apartheid edu­ countries - the white settlers, the party*, Skweyiya said. cation is, to a degree, being colonialists ran away - leaving 'We have also provided for the decided now. Its endorsement the economies to crumble. incorporation into either the of the 'people's education' in­ 'Any policies we pursue must guidelines or a future constitu­ itiatives of the last three years be developed with that perma­ tion of a workers charter - a has been not so much a matter nently in our minds*. of winning tactical advantage as charter of worker interests com- supporting the construction of Present strategies create future piled by the workers an education system capable of options, and the ANC's con­ themselves, through the trade feeding into a future South stitutional seminar reportedly union movement*. Africa. heard strong arguments in Within the ANC there is also a favour of 'winning the profes­ powerful lobby, led by officials While the constitutional gui­ sionals, the management-types of the South African Congress delines themselves give only an away from apartheid to a less of Trade Unions, on the right of indirect image of the future hostile perspective*. all South Africans to work. economy envisaged by the Despite a recognition that While the immediate creation of ANC, the organisation has been clumsily-implemented nationali­ a national social security system engaged in extensive economic sation or transfer to worker will not be easy in an economy research for some time. And control could be disastrous for a weakened by the transition from here, more man anywhere else, highly-vulnerable, immediate apartheid, there is strong sup­ ANC officials emphasise that post-apartheid economy, the port for the Freedom Charter's the manner in which apartheid ANC is unlikely to back away guarantee that 'the state shall ends will drastically affect the from its 33-year-old Freedom recognise the right and duty of number and nature of options Charter pledge that 'the mineral all to work and to draw full un­ available to the first post-apart­ wealth beneath the soil, the employment benefits'. The draft heid government. banks and the monopoly indus­ guidelines are likely to reflect It thus approaches the question try shall be transferred to the this. of knee-jerk nationalisation with ownership of the people as a extreme caution. 'When the whole*. Making formal rights real Zambians nationalised their But current thinking within the A further major element of a mines, they took 51 % of the organisation also appears to post-apartheid constitution mines' interests, leaving the hold that acrimonious public de­ should, the ANC believes, be a remaining 49% with Anglo- bates on the precise details of bill of rights incorporating American', says one senior the theoretical formulations of many of the ideals of the Free­ ANC source. 'But there were no that process are, at this stage, a dom Charter - specifically those Zambians to run the mines - waste of time. The guidelines covered in the charter's sixth they had to rehire Anglo to do it are, therefore, likely to be fairly clause, 'All afcafl enjoy human for them. Anglo did it, through broad on this aspect - firmly rights'. But here too the draft their hastily-formed, Bermuda- committed to a mixed economy guidelines will, say ANC offi­ based Zamanglo. without, for the present, defin­ cials, attempt to take the ideals 'Zamanglo is still running ing the precise breakdown of 'past the slogans and towards Zambia's mines, and Zambia that mix. realisation*. For example the has to rely entirely on their But if ANC economic fore­ guaranteed right to publish has goodwill - they can't check the casts contain a strong dose of been seen by a number of offi­ books, can't verify the profits, pragmatism, they also contain a cials as being an insufficient the turnover, anything, because clear recognition of the cen- guarantee on the issue of press Zamanglo is off-shore. trality of organised workers freedom. 'Unless you guarantee 'We must be careful to avoid both now and in the future. In the right to access to informa­ mat'. " addition to introducing the right tion by all South Africans -

Work In Prograss TTXANC something like the US Freedom the past, to a hesitancy to build Pretoria itself is examining al­ of Information Act - the right to what one official called 'practi­ ternative constitutional models, publish could be a very limited calities on the foundations of the and there is extensive research one', says an ANC official. charter*. going on at Columbia Univer­ The second leg to this argu­ The strands only began to sity and elsewhere in the US, in ment is a recognition of the come together just over two Britain (where researchers have necessity of creating the dis­ years ago, when the political reportedly adapted the federal­ tributive infrastructure, and of convulsions of 1983-84 com­ ism of South African free access to the means to publish, bined with years of quiet ANC marketeer Leon Louw for their to ensure that all South Africans diplomacy to give it, in the eyes model), in West Germany and are able to exercise their rightt o of even the most conservative in Geneva. information. Western adminstrations, un­ 'As a serious movement we While the guidelines them­ questionable stature as a major cannot allow ourselves to be selves reportedly do not go into player in the South African dictated to by outsiders on this detail on the issue, ANC depart­ game. issue - we have the experience ment of information and This Western recognition of Zimbabwe and the Lancaster publicity official Victor Moche brought with it intense scrutiny House constitution, and of recently argued on behalf of the not only of the organisation it­ Zambia which was handed a ANC for post-apartheid legisla­ self, but of its strategies and - constitution by Britain. tion prohibiting centralisation most importantly - its perspec­ 'We will not get our freedom and monopolisation of the mass tives of the future. tomorrow, but our people need media. Building on this, ANC Presi­ to start knowing what is in­ dent Oliver Tambo embarked volved. These are political Not a government-in-exile on an extensive 'world tour* in issues, and should not be The public appearance of the 1986. 'We managed to use the allowed to be the exclusive ANC draft constitutional gui­ Freedom Charter and more re­ preserve of the intellectuals, of delines, and the process of cent policy documents to end governments and of party politi­ consultation which the organisa­ the often repeated challenge that cians. This is something which we were trying to force social­ should involve every member of tion hopes will result in a the mass democratic movement, wide-ranging consensus on a ism on an unwilling majority', of the ANC and of Umkhonto constitutional framework, do says Skweyiya. 'Western we Sizwe', says Skweyiya. riot mark an abrupt shift in ANC leaders found that the charter policy. contained nothing they them­ Representation at the constitu­ The process of formulating a selves - whatever their political tional seminar was substantial, collective ANC position on a perspectives - would be un­ drawing delegates from vir­ constitutional framework for a happy with in any constitution*. tually all sectors of die ANC post-apartheid society has been But if this greater awareness of and MK, and followed exten­ in motion for some time. But the ANC's national-democratic sive debate within the one of the reasons for the objectives muted past accusa­ organisations' structures. ANC's reluctance to pursue the tions, it also brought - most The next stage, the ANC be­ drafting of a finished constitu­ recently and powerfully during lieves, is to draw other elements tion - awaiting only liberation Tambo's meeting with US Sec­ of the country's 'democratic for its imposition on the country retary of State George Schultz - opposition' into debate. - has been its logical conse­ a follow-on question: "That's Whether by coincidence or de­ quence: the declaration of an fine, but how do you plan to sign, this stage will peak ANC government-in-exile. In implement it?' towards the end of the year - as the face of repeated suggestions The need for a clearer answer South Africans are going to the from well-meaning friends, the than the ideals of the Freedom polls in countrywide local auth­ ANC has held to the position Charter added impetus to the ority elections on 26 October. (enshrined in the Freedom process. Because they are divided on rig­ Charter) that only the people of Similarly, says Skweyiya, the idly racial lines, these elections South Africa, through a formal flood of interest in South Africa will contrast sharply with the democratic process, can deter­ added further urgency. 'Past- ANC guidelines... mine the legitimate government apartheid research has become of the country. This has led, in an international industry.

Work In Progress Metal Industry negotiations

As the South etal union negotiators en­ African Mtered national wage talks far stronger this year than ever government before - and walked into a solid moves to wall of employer hostility manacle which makes the chances of a More organised negotiated settlement less than worker activity ever before. to industrial The talks began amid an in- council-linked creasingly-aggressive trade unionism, government campaign to crush than metal industry all visible signs of opposition: employers are three weeks before they started. Law and Order Minister manoeuvring to Adriaan Viok effectively banned shut off even 17 extra-parliamentary political that limited organisations, and severely re­ wages channel for stricted the activities of the worker Congress of South African demands. GREG Trade Unions (Cosatu) to an ex­ RUITERS, tremely narrow range of INGRIDOBERY shop-floor activities. and DAVID This shop-floor activity had at stake also been targeted by the gov­ NIDDRIE report. ernment: in January, Manpower Work In Progress ~7 IMM Industry negotiation* Minister Pietie du Plessis tabled sharpening the 'wage curve' in­ tlement or action will be taken the Labour Relations Amend­ stead of flattening it at similar mass general meet­ ings. The IMF negotiating ment Bill, aimed at closing the A negotiating alliance gaps workers have won for committee is made up of two themselves in the past decade. But this year, four unions be­ representatives elected at each Against this background, the longing to the South African regional mass meeting and the national metal industry negotia­ co-ordinating council of the In­ national executives of each tions began on 15 March. ternational Metalworkers union. Numsa, however, enjoys This year, for the first time Federation (IMF) entered the additional representation. The since the Metal and Allied Wor­ talks as a single bloc of 120 000 team will make recommenda­ kers Union (Mawu) entered the workers, half those represented tions for discussion by members National Industrial Council for at the talks. Numsa, the largest after each stage of the negotia­ the Iron and Steel Industry in union in the alliance, represents tions. 1983, the majority of the indus­ 90 000 workers in the metal and Because of this process, it is try's workers - black and engineering industries. The less likely that there will be a unskilled - appeared to have a other three are: tfte Steel, En­ repetition of the splits in IMF chance of forcing the industrial gineering and Allied Workers ranks, when Mawu (and council to seriously examine Union of SA (Seawusa), the En­ Numsa) have held out while their demands. gineering and Allied Workers Union (Eawu), and the Electri­ other unions have backed down In the past the metal industries cal and Allied Workers Trade and signed. The alliance is not industrial council, which in­ Union of SA (EAWTUSA). In unbreakable, however, given cludes 14 unions, has managed the past, all three have opposed the strength of member loyalty to isolate Mawu - and its succes­ the council agreement, but have to their own unions and leader­ sor, the National Union of signed it under pressure. ship. Metalworkers of South Africa Two other IMF-affiliated (Numsa) - and sign an agree­ The IMF alliance is an attempt unions - SA Boilermakers and ment with the remaining unions, to present a larger block of opi­ the small Radio and Television most of them representing white nion in the council, and unites Workers - decided not to join and skilled workers and linked the Cosatu-affiliaied Numsa the alliance. The boilermakers' to the conservative Confeder­ union, with 27 000 members, ation for Metal and Building with two affiliates of the Unions (CMBU). National Confederation of has in the past been among the Trade Unions (Nactu). strongest proponents of IMF The council argued that, des­ IMF Sou Hi African co-ordinat­ unity, but significant changes in pite its numerical dominance, ing committee secretary Brian the leadership appear to be Mawu (and last year Numsa) Fredericks says there may be nudging the union steadily to was one union among 14 and its political and ideological dif­ the right. failure to settle on terms agreed ferences between the unions' by the 'majority' should not leaderships but 'the united feel­ Speaking for the majority delay settlement. Every year, ing among union leaders means IMF negotiators have already the manpower minister has they can present a united front pointed out that they speak for agreed - and signed the agree­ to the council'. 'Whatever the the vast majority of black, un­ ment into law. IMF unions do in the industrial skilled workers, and have "There have never really been council will determine the fu­ argued that employers must in­ negotiations', says Numsa na­ ture of .that council', he said. clude them in any settlement tional organiser Jeff Schreiner. The alliance could be a crucial Any agreement reached with 'We tabled our demands, the lesson of how workers can half the negotiators (a conserva­ bosses agreed on a settlement 'march separately and strike tive, predominantly white, with the CMBU unions, it was together'. skilled half at that) could not signed, endorsed by the minis­ An important feature of the al­ then be forced on the other half ter, and that was that'. The liance is that demands were (militant, mainly black and un­ result, he says, has been a formulated at IMF-hosted joint skilled). growing gap between unskilled meetings of members of all four The IMF alliance took into the and skilled workers' pay - in­ unions. These have been fol­ talks more than a dozen inter­ creasing racial discrimination lowed by joint report-back locking demands aimed at instead of decreasing it, or meetings. Any decisions on set­ winning for their members a e Work In Progress Metal Industry negotiations living wage - R5 an hour, or in the industry. For the unions it could, R225 a week. To achieve this, Beyond the wage offer, Seifsa literally, be a do-or-die year. they demanded a minimum- did not respond to union In response, says Fredericks, wage increase of just over 90% demands. the unions have been evaluating - R2,40-an-hour up on the exist­ 'They treated us with con­ their strength and reviewing ing R2,60-an hour minimum. tempt; there are no bona-fide possible strategies. He believes Their strategy was to focuso n negotiations with us', said Seifsa has noted the IMF the vast inequalities between Bemie Fanaroff, Numsa's rep­ alliance, and has decided to skilled and unskilled wages in resentative on the IMF team. back white union demands to the industry - put on a graph, Seifsa negotiators also Med to diminish the IMF threat. He these differences form, a curve make any real comment on op­ said IMF strategy has been fair­ running from the R2.60 mini­ position to the harsh provisions ly reactive until now, as there mum for unskilled workers to of the Labour Relations Bill. had not been time to develop a RIO for skilled workers. coherent positive strategy. Although few skilled workers Questions about industrial National shopsteward work­ earn the minimum (most earn councils shops are taking place to discuss far more than RIO an hour), in The IMF alliance distinguishes strategic options. terms of the agreed minimum between principled and tactical The 24 February restrictions, they take home four times the demands. Tactical demands in­ the 15 March offer and the La­ wages of unskilled workers. clude sick pay, housing bour Bill suggest that employers The alliance demanded that this allowances, leave pay, and and the government are trying difference in the 'wage curve' overtime. Principled demands to lock the door they opened in be cut to 45%. In doing so, the are non-negotiable and include 1979 - to attempt to control or­ IMF negotiators were both at­ Sharpeville Day and 16 June as ganised workers by co-opting tempting to win a living wage, paid holidays, and living wages. and challenging racial discrimi­ the unions 'into the system*. nation in the industry. The vast difference between That door was opened by the what the IMF unions have Wiehahn Commission whose la­ The alliance also demanded demanded and what Seifsa has bour reform recommendations discussions on employer action offered represents more than a became law with the 1979 La­ against the Labour Relations tough negotiating tactic by bour Relations Act Amendment Bill. employers. A year later, 14 unions be­ Employers, negotiating There is a strongly-held belief longing to the Federation of through the Steel and Engineer­ within the four IMF unions that South African Trade Unions ing Industries'. Federation of Seifsa's hard line is part of a (later to merge into Cosatu) South Africa (Seifsa), re­ strategy designed to provoke took the controversial step of sponded with a minimum-wage workers into premature action registering in terms of this law. increase offer of just 8% - an in­ in much the same way that the By doing so, they gained state crease of 21 cents an hour. Chamber of Mines did with the recognition - and used that The first round of talks rarely miners last year. Certainly ele­ space to massively build, their sees either side presenting an ments within the employer shop-floor strength. offer which the other considers group hold that the Labour Bill At the time it was emphasised fit for negotiation. But the IS does not go far enough in curb­ that registration was a tactical March Seifsa offer was star- ing union militancy. They also move, and in no way a sell-out. tlingly small. It represents less see last year's Numsa action - In 1983, Mawu went further - than half official estimates of in­ protesting a settlement which joining the industrial council. flation. Seifsa argued that wage acknowledged none of their de­ At the time the issues of regis­ increases cause inflation - but mands - as 'a dress rehearsal for tration and participation in the wage increases in the metal in­ 1988'. This view would support industrial councils were fiercely dustry have not exceeded price suggestions that Seifsa is at­ debated. Unions opposed to en­ increases for the past five years. tempting to draw workers into tering the s|ate structures argued Real wages have decreased un-coordinated, wildcat strikes this would lead to 'legalism', steadily in that time. And, in the and to ambush them with the accepting the law as setting the past three years, employers* sort of mass dismissals which limits of workers' rights. wage bills have shrunk with the damaged the National Union of Legalism would trap the loss of more than 110 000 jobs Mineworkers last year. unions in state mechanisms and

Work In Progress .* < Metal lndu»try n«gotHtk>n« .•v ./* I si] • • ^fiSfc move tbe focus away from the ation under rapidly changing sion of industrial council agree­ shop floor, they argued. It conditions. ments to non-parties. would also encourage a union­ The big companies are all rep­ ism concentrating on narrow Pros and cons resented, so this extension of economic issues, ignoring key The outcome of this year's council membership would in­ political and community metal industry negotiations may volve all the small employers. struggles. raise the question of the useful­ This is the sector of the econ­ In response, the 14 unions ar­ ness of staying in the council. omy the government wants to gued that the state was bending There are pros and cons for both boost. But these employers are in the face of strong worker or­ strategies. Numsa insists 'the also those most opposed to ganisation and that it was forced only thing to rely on the council unions and minimum wages, as to give legal statuatory recogni­ for is as a focus for mobilisa­ they are heaviest hit by the tion to black unions - a right tion'. recession. denied for 60 years. Immediate sources of dissatis­ If, as he has threatened, the They later pointed to the faction over the council include: minister refuses to extend the massive increase in membership * Representivity: each union, agreement to the whole indus­ following registration - Fosatu irrespective of membership, has try, many employers could membership leapt from 30 000 one vote. Although the IMF al­ leave the council as they would in 1979 to 95 000 in 1981. liance represents half the be exempt from implementing In the next seven years, as workers covered by council minimum wages; this could union membership rocketed, the agreements, it has four -votes. mean the end of the industrial debate faded into the back­ The two other IMF affiliates ac­ council system as councils ground. count for two more, while the would become too unrepresen­ But today the union movement CMBU unions have a combined tative. finds itself fighting on new ter­ voting strength of nine. Man­ There would then be one less rain. Both the state and capital agement has 15 votes. vehicle unions could use to de­ have as their declared intention * The discretion of the minis­ fend the principle of enforcible a policy which can only lead to ter to accept or reject all or part protection of wage standards the weakening of the militant of the council's decisions. Last and working conditions. mass base of the unions. year Manpower Minister Pietie Arid if the IMF alliance unions Legal avenues such as the de­ du Plessis re-promulgated the refuse to sign the council agree­ finition of unfair labour 1986 agreement on the eve of ment, and the CMBU unions - practices are being redefined in Numsa's planned strike - thus which represent only more favour of capital: deregulation, outlawing the action. skilled grades - sign, the terms privatisation and the new La­ The negotiations - combined of the agreement for all workers bour Bill mean that serious with the state of emergency re­ will be made at the discretion of resistance and advance is im­ strictions and tbe Labour Bill - the council. If the council de­ possible for workers if they may leave metalworkers with cides to leave wages for stick-to the industrial laws. little reason for participation in unskilled categories at the same Even under the 1979 law, wor­ the industrial council system. rate as last year, these workers kers do not have an unqualified The minister of manpower has will get no increase at all. This right to strike. The Labour Bill indicated he would like to sec would suit the minister's wage aims to strip them of tbe limited more than 50% of all metal em­ freeze strategy. rights they do have. ployers sitting on the council to In addition, the IMF unions The debates of the early 1980s make it more 'representative'. would come away from negotia­ have been catapulted back into This trend was evident already tions with no gains at all for the arena, with the gains of the in 1985, when the minister said their members - and this in a last nine years seriously under he was 'tired of paying the pol­ context where workers have threat. If, in 1980 registration itical bill for inflexible and taken many actions, with few and participation in»the indus­ unrepresentative industrial victories. trial councils was a tactic, it is a councils', and was reviewing tactic which requires examin­ his policy of customary exten­ .

•

10 "Work In Progress Youth politics

.IV E' TT Learning to live in the shadows

lust a month and four days ince its launch last year the legal organisation operating before the South African SSouth African Youth Con­ legally*. Youth Congress celebrated gress (Sayco) has inhabited a The organisation's launch it­ its first birthday on 28 semi-clandestine world, its self - in Cape Town on 28 March, Pretoria finally members, its leaders and its March 1987 - was, Ntombela acknowledged the reality actions visible only briefly as says, a victory for the process under which the they emerged into open activ­ of learning to merge into the organisation had operated ity. shadows. It took place in near- from birth - by banning it. 'From our formation we total secrecy, carefully WIP interviewed Sayco were forced to adapt to the shielded from public knowl­ leaders before the hostile environment of a state edge by a highly-efficient banning, and looked at the of emergency, to develop barrier of disinformation. organisation's first year. methods of operation which That process, Ntombela and Sayco's comments on its enabled us to survive*, recalls other members of Sayco's future plans were made publicity secretary Simon 'head office' believe, height­ before restrictions Ntombela. And it had to do so ened state hostility to the rendered the organisation despite its leaders' oft-re­ organisation. 'From the begin­ legally unable to act. peated declaration: 'We are a ning the police were after us,

Work In Progress 11 \- • • . • • •• • • • .

L v , • V t*-V • JV> V^ * * YOUth politic* , -, .,» #* -^ "C< i"" J •• "."X. - .-•. they specifically targetted 1986 national state of emer­ 'But it is one battle lost - not Sayco...and when they came gency, Sayco emerged in the the war. We'll win the war'. for Sayco they came aimed, as ebb of the tide of resistance Nevertheless, the Police Iso­ if they were hunting gueril­ which exploded across the lation Campaign, designed to las*. country two years earlier. Its freeze out police socially - From the outset, however, leaders oversaw a steady trans­ particularly kitskonstabels - Sayco had done Little to avoid fer of initiative from the achieved a limited degree of incurring the state's wrath. It opposition into the hands of success in many areas. In New adopted a slogan - 'freedom or the state; an easing of the Brighton and in Bongulethu in death, victory is certain! '- semi-insurrectionary challenge the southern Cape, the cam­ traditionally linked to the to apartheid - a challenge in paign went ahead as planned: outlawed African National which those who became its in New Brighton the bulk of Congress and chose colours members had served as the kitskonstabels are imports, (black, green and gold against cutting edge. many of them from rural Kwa- a red backdrop) most likely to zulu. 'The women particularly outrage Pretoria. And dele­ One foot In the shadows pressured their husbands and gates to the inaugural congress Many of the activities outlined sons not to join the kitskonsta­ chose as their president Peter in its original programme of bels', said Sayco secretary Mokaba, not long off Robben action were based on the as­ general Rapu Molekane. 'In Island after conviction as an sumption that Sayco could Bongolethu, when the kitskon­ ANC guerilla. extend the political duality at stabels returned from their Born as the national voice of which organisations in and training, their families press­ the 'young lions', the 'com­ around the United Democratic ured them and many resigned - rades' who had spearheaded Front (UDF) had become so Bongolethu rejected the vigi­ the semi- insurrectionary wave adept. Standing with one foot lantes in uniform'. of the previous two years, in the light and one in the sha­ The Save the Patriots Cam­ Sayco had little option but to dows, the organisations paign suffered similarly from operate underground - what­ enjoyed the benefit of both the hostility of the environ­ ever the validity of its claims public campaigns and semi- ment in which it was to legality. clandestine structures. launched. Originally called the Its leaden were able to speak For Sayco, this proved im­ Save the 32 Campaign - but more freely from the semi- possible. renamed as the numbers on clandestine shadows than Reviewing the first year death row increased - it had many of those permanently shortly before the 24 February several aims: stationed in more visible and restrictions, Sayco officials ac­ * to win reprieves for politi­ vulnerable structures. And knowledged the damaging cally-linked prisoners on death speak they did: of the desira­ effect of the permanent state row; bility of socialism, of the of seige under which they had * to question the passing of inevitability (although not the existed. death sentences for politically- justification) of the 'necklace', High-profile public cam­ linked or politically-inspired and of the South African Com­ paigns such as the 'Police killings; munist Party as the only Isolation Campaign' and the * to generate pressure on the political vanguard of the 'Save the Patriots Campaign' South African government to working class. had been drastically hobbled, sign the Geneva Convention But if the successful under­ they said, as the state re­ protocol on guerillas engaged ground launching and peatedly moved to head off in a civil war - and thus win developing of possibly the big­ public rallies, press conferen­ them prisoner-of-war status gest political formation in ces and Sayco propaganda. rather than the death sentences South Africa brought an 'These restrictions certainly they currently face. exuberance, a defiance and a weakened us', N torn be la said. 'We originally planned a burst of energy to Sayco's first 'Because of the state of emer­ mass signature campaign. Col­ days, its leadership did not gency we were not able to lection of signatures went on, have much time to relish the undertake rallies, put out pub­ but not as we originally in­ excitement. lications and generate support tended - most of our activists Formed nine months into the for our campaigns. are underground and had to

12 Wo* In Progress Youth politics emerge to collect signatures. detained less than a month cult it is to verify its claims - This was very dangerous', after the banning, as were sev­ making exageration virtually Molekane explained. eral senior members of the compulsory for the few repre­ 'But despite our failure to Southern Transvaal structure. sentatives out in the open. The achieve our objectives so far, possibilities are endless. we managed to keep the issue Last May, in clear imitation in the minds of millions of of the carefully- orchestrated South Africans*. announcement of Sayco's for­ Recently a Southern Trans­ mation, a youth popped into vaal Save the Patriots view to announce the recent committee has been launched, formation of a rival youth expanding membership be­ body, the Azanian Youth Or­ yond Sayco's Southern ganisation. It had been Transvaal affiliate (Styco) to launched, he said, at a secret include, among others, the gathering of 1 000 delegates in Durban. National Union of Minewor- kers, which has members of The 1 000 had, apparently, its own on death row. passed among a community, 'Our aim was specifically to tense and on the lookout for save the political patriots on strangers, without stirring a death row, but the campaign ripple or leaving a footprint. includes people who oppose Similarly, they managed to all capital punishment', said avoid using all known Durban Molekane. venues big enough to house 1 000 delegates. Streamlining activities By contrast, if Sayco's mem­ Even before the restrictions, bership is untestable, its Sayco had streamlined its footprints at least are visible - operations to adapt to life in Throughout its first year, most recently in this year's 21 the shadows. While its basic Sayco's 'head office' conti­ March stayaway. With Sayco decision-making and executive nued to meet daily and the itself formally restricted, the structures remained unchanged national and central executive task of spreading the word of - 'born into the underground committees met regularly, al­ the stayaway fell to its re­ and well-adapted to that though not quite as often as gional affiliates. And, with world', as Ntombela put it - directed by the constitution - extremely limited pre-pub- increasing pressure from the every fortnight for the NEC licity, without formal state and the possibility of the and every two months for the organisational backing from detention of the national CEC. Cosatu, and with even police leadership led to major revi­ In this way, said Ntombela, witholding their normally-rou­ sions. they managed 'not just to sur­ tine charge of 'intimi- dation', Functions once shared vive, but to grow'. At its the stayaway won the support among the 'head office' - the launch Sayco claimed just over of more than a million people. officials running Sayco's day- half-a-million members - Sayco's footprints could, to-day. activity - were divided rather than the 800 000-going- similarly, be tracked through into eight departments. 'From on-a-million figure claimed on last year's railway strike. With these collectives, these ex­ its behalf - in 800 local youth 16 000 workers dismissed and panded decision-making groupings. Individual mem­ little prospect of a settlement structures, we can replenish bership has increased slightly in sight, young 'comrades' on the leadership lost through since then. the Reef gave form to their detention or death', said These figures are, by the na­ leaders' calls for an alliance in Ntombela. ture of the organisation, action of workers and youth, Sayco's national executive virtually impossible to verify. torching RIOO-million worth had, at the time of its restric­ The more efficient an organi- of SA Transport Services roll­ tion, lost none of its members sation's adaptation to ing stock in two dozen - although Mokaba was clandestinity, the more diffi­ separate attacks.

Work In Progress 13 Youth politics t Towards the end of last year the UDF, and the 'national- beyond capitalism, socialism. the organisation attempted to democratic struggle' of which But the way to reach that stage step up its support for or­ it is a part, has - at least is through national-democratic ganised worker action, legally - been interrupted by revolution'. although in less dramatic the 24 February restrictions, This perception pushed the fashion. But if its programmes which according to Informa­ need for an active alliance became more modest, Sayco tion Minister Stoffel van der with Cosatu high on Sayco's remained relatively unscathed Merwe 'put these organisa­ agenda. It also meant an un­ - particularly when compared tions in the deep freeze for a usually explicit acknow­ to the organisational decima­ while'. ledgment of the role of the tion wreaked on its allies in Prior to the crackdown, how­ South African Communist the UDF and on the UDF it­ ever, Sayco was looking to Party. self. re-invigorate its relationship 'Only a political vanguard of 4The regime the most advanced peeled off four elements of the layers of leader­ most advanced ship from the ^ class can lead that UDF', Molckane ft \ class beyond capi­ said. talism. And in South Africa, the 'The organisa­ only political for­ tion has been mation capable of under sustained undertaking that attack since before vanguard role is the first emer­ theSACP'. gency. Its leaders have been de­ Ephraim Nkwe, tained, put on trial Sayco's education like Terror (Leko- officer, said the ta, publicity organisation secretary) and looked to Cosatu Popo (Molefe, 'It Is one battle lost - but we'll win the war' to contribute more general secretary), forced deep with Cosatu, also hampered by immediately in working-class underground or out of the state activity. struggle. country'. The relationship with Cosatu 'The working class is realis­ Last year the UDF initiated a is one of the pillars of Sayco ing, in struggle, that it is faced decentralisation process, put­ policy - a policy more explicit­ with the primary national ting its energy into the ly class-determined than most question - of overcoming formation of national, sectoral of its allies within the UDF. apartheid colonialism. This is affiliates to avoid over-con­ This is understandable for an demonstrated to workers clear­ centration on a single, national organisation which drew much ly by the way the state reacts leadership structure. of its strength from a gener­ to their actions, particularly in 4The detention of Murphy ation whose world view has the massive public sector ac­ (Morobe, acting publicity sec­ been shaped by a combination tions by rail and postal retary) and (acting general of racial oppression and mass workers', he said. secretary Mohamed) Valli unemployment. Even before its 24 February seriously interrupted that pro­ 'Our constitution's preamble restriction, Sayco felt it could cess. It is still trying to adapt depicts the current era as capi­ not function openly, and no and assert itself, Molckane talist, in which the means of longer conduct its own mass added. 'But it has been severe­ production are owned by a propaganda. So, said Nkwe, ly under attack. As a result it white minority and by foreign 'we are looking at new tactics does not appear to be giving capitalists, with our people and styles of work to deepen political direction and leader­ selling their only asset, their the process by which the ship, but it is still making labour, for next to nothing', working class becomes a vital itself felt'. says Ntombela. component in the mass The process of strengthening 'And it depicts a stage democratic movement'.

14 Work In Progress Clashes in KTC

he 800-metre long blade-wire Tbarricade that cuts through Cape Town's KTC squatter camp has left residents and commentators bemused. When it was erected by more than 100 armed police, SADF members and kitskonstabels on 27 February, residents gathered to watch. They stood around silent, angry and puz­ zled. They had good reason to be. For both the warring groups in the township had stated that they re­ jected the fence. Privately they may also have been asking why it was not installed earlier, when fighting was at a peak, and before the violence claimed six lives and left an estimated 3 000 people homeless. Also watching the erection of the fence was the Western Cape divi­ sional police commissioner. Brigadier Roy During, who took the opportunity to announce that floodlights would be set up and the area would be patrolled by police • until 'peace and stability returned to KTC. Police maintained their action was to keep apart the warring factions - the Masincedane group, based in Fencing 'new KTC, and residents of 'old KTC - and 'prevent senseless kill­ ing and violence'. But by then the fighting was just about over and peace - albeit shaky - had already been restored to the off the area. Although the joint police-SADF operation was publicly directed at KTCs 'warring factions', there can be no doubt that a mediating committee set up by the United conflict Democratic Front, Cosatu and the Western Province Council of Chur­ ches was also a target. It sounds like Crossroads revisited: older residents of a An order issued just a few days squatter camp turn against younger residents in a series later under the emergency regula­ of violent attacks, while the security forces keep their tions declaring KTC a restricted distance. But this time it is KTC that is at war. MOIRA area, open to residents only, can be LEVY reports on the battles in this Cape Town squatter regarded as a further attack on die camp, and explains what the state hopes to achieve mediating committee. there. During's statement at the time Work In Progress 15 Clashes in KTC ____ referred to people from out­ attempted arson' and released schools and so on. So far these side KTC, 'among them hours later; and the UDF's have been rejected, but it whites and coloured people representative on the commit­ seems clear that the state aims who were trying their utmost tee, Willie Hofmeyr, was to win over this group. ( served with a restriction order to ensure an atmosphere in Capitalising on conflict which violence could take its while in KTC, which made it toir. illegal for him to continue his Not even the most cynical work. would suggest that the state di­ Keeping the peace The aim of the state interven­ rectly caused the internecine The mediating committee set tion is to remove the clashes. However, large-scale up at the height of the conflict mediating committee from the violence plays into state and headed by Dr Alan Boesak area; this can be understood as hands; the authorities do not and Archbishop Desmond part of an overall strategy that have to start the violence, but Tutu was established to keep involves presenting the police the absence of security forces the peace. Its aim was to inter­ and SADF troops as peacema­ when it flares suggests they vene where necessary to kers and winning the support may want it to develop. prevent further violence and to of a section of the squatter Divisions within the KTC mediate between the two population. squatter camp have a long his­ groups through negotiations It was done before, with de­ tory; objective factors have and meetings. vastating effect, in the 1986 forced a wedge between the For almost 24 hours each 'witdoek-comrade' clashes in factions for years and it is this day, the team monitored the Cape Town's squatter camps. that the state is fostering. conflict from a combi strategi­ The government learned then The original squatter camp, cally parked in a street that the security forces need known as old KTC, was set­ between the two camps. At the conflict in which they can be tled in 1983 by 'legal* committee's core were Patrick seen to be fighting side by side residents forced out of the Matanjana and Lumko Huna, with a part of the community Western Cape township of Gu- two Robben Island veterans against the 'comrades', .who guletu by overcrowding and highly regarded by both sides they can present as the enemy. severe housing shortages. For and accorded the respect This, the state found, has years they lived in backyard needed to enable them to inter­ shanties and as tenants in al- vene when necessary. proved more successful than attempts to install puppet itady-overcrowded township 'Members of the mediating leaders; it has learned that shacks, until the decision was committee have played a cen­ support can be won through made to settle on the stretch of tral role in reducing the level in-fighting and clashes. open land, beside the Kekaza of conflict over the last few And with municipal elections Trading Centre which gave weeks, often at great personal in October, the need to install KTC its name. risk to themselves', a state­ a leader the state can rely on, Some years later, in-fighting ment from the committee but who has sufficient support among a section of the Cross­ declared. in his own constituency, has roads squatters resulted in a 'If During had bothered to become all the more urgent. breakaway group settling in an ask the elected committees on It is in this context that the area adjacent to KTC - dubbed either side for their opinions, SADF and police overtures to new KTC. It became known as" this is exactly what they would the Masincedane Committee the Masincedane group - 'let have told him. In fact both can be understood. us help each other', a name sides have pleaded with the Police appear to be attempt­ that originated in a burial so­ mediating committee to re­ ing to portray themselves as ciety. main in KTC\ sympathetic to the Masince­ The two communities lived The mediators believe police dane. Kitskonstabels have peacefully side by side. It was have made 'continual at­ been seen chatting to them and a time of intense grassroots ac­ tempts' to undermine their offering protection from the tivity in the Western Cape, efforts to 'create peace in other side. and organisations like the KTC' - four committee mem­ There have been offers of United Womens Organisation bers were arrested 'on help to Masincedane, in the (UWO) and the Western Cape ridiculous charges of form of clinics, toilets, Civic Association (WCCA) ie Work In ProgSta" •:\- -v The KTC fence: Dividing a defiant community had strong support in both old rallied together against the demands. In old KTC single and new KTC. In fact, the witdoek attacks - but objective women and youth pre-domi- Masincedane group was affil­ differences existed, and in nated; although mostly bom in iated to the WCCA at that time these were to come to the Cape Town, they were not en­ stage. fore. titled to township houses. All For years there was no con­ Essentially the groups dif­ along their demand had been flict - during 1986 both groups fered over their housing for housing and in negotiations

Work In Progress 17 .••*-- * ClMh—snKTC • ' with goveniment officials they for a few weeks. Violence committee and UDF co-presi­ consistently rejected upgrad­ broke out again after the mur­ dent Albertina Sisulu travelled ing schemes or other der in January of Storeman from Johannesburg in various compromise solutions. Their Madubela, a senior member of attempts to set up peace talks. objective was houses, security the Masincedane Committee The mediating committee and comfort - and nothing and a crucial figure in the managed, to a large extent, to short of that would suffice. peace talks. defuse the situation and con­ It was in this community that That day the Masincedane trol the violence, effectively the UWO and the Cape Youth group, bent on revenge, began preventing it from escalating Congress were able to take burning down old KTC into the full-blown pitched root. shacks. In days almost 400 battles that shook the squatter The Masincedane group shacks were destroyed, and camps in 1986. wanted only to be left in peace the cycle of violence was well However, reluctance by to live in the squatter camp. in motion. Emergency meet­ ultra-militant youths or ntsaras They were more interested in ings and negotiation attempts (criminals) in the Tambo upgrading schemes; few could by Boesak and Tutu could not Square community to partici­ afford to buy houses. restore the peace. pate in negotiations remains a If housing was the foremost Within days those shacks still major concern to the media­ point of conflict, however, it standing in old KTC had been tors. was not the only one. Dif­ dismantled by residents who And of even greater concern ferences ran deep. Members feared for their safety, and the is their fear that the failure to of the Masincedane group entire area was cleared of get the two sides talking is were newly urbanised; some squatters. working in the interests of the were still migrants who com­ Some, estimated at less than state. muted regularly between Cape a quarter of the original old Town and the Transkei. The KTC community, set up camp Smear campaigns group consisted primarily of older men who clung to tradi­ again across the road in a va­ Numerous anonymous pamph­ tional values, particularly cant lot that had been named lets have been distributed concerning the role of women Tambo Square. Many were re­ blaming individuals for violent and youth. ported as saying development incidents; smear campaigns board officials told them to have bees launched against or­ move there and that, although ganisations; police have been Hostilities erupt they feared more violence, accused of provoking residents Relations between the two be­ they were reluctant to move in several ways, such as trans­ came increasingly strained, back to the township back­ porting people in Casspirs particularly from the begin­ yards or to Khayalitsha in case against their will to create the ning of last year, when the they lost their places on the impression that they are infor­ WCCA relaunched an interim waiting list for houses in mers. All of this has helped committee which organised KTC. stoke the anger on both sides. branches in old KTC that were Intermittent violence conti­ Observers see the barbed- seen to be in opposition to the nued, and after another six wire fence as another attempt - Masincedane group. deaths the mediating commit­ albeit less subtle - to divide a In November last year the tee was established. Pamphlets community that has long stood growing hostilities erupted, were circulated throughout the as a symbol of squatter defi­ and seven people were killed area quoting an ANC press ance against government raids. in a series of revenge attacks. statement calling on the youth And they fear this will be Joint forums started by the to take the lead in ending hos­ followed by further overtures UDF, Cosatu and the chur­ tilities between conservatives to the Masincedane group to ches, predecessors to the and radicals. Cosatu officials force the new KTC committee official mediating committee, Jay Naidoo, Chris Dlamini to ally itself with the state - in succeeded in preventing the and Elijah Barayi, members of much the same way that the conflict from escalating into the South African Youth Con­ Crossroads squatter leadership full-blown attacks - but only gress national executive has done, *

18 Work In Progress The cost of war

'A small Transvaal toy manufacturer will soon add another product to its already burgeoning armoury - a miniature version of a new police anti-riot vehicle unveiled this week... In the meantime the Vcntcrsdorp toy company will expand its existing police fleet of toy Buffcls, R at els and Casspirs at the end of the month when it begins production of a gleaming replica of the new police helicopter. The toy A high Casspir sold more than 25 000 models' (Sunday Times, 06.09.87). 'Minister Vlok admitted in Parliament that six members of the SADF had interrogated Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa, the secretary-general of the Southern African Catholic price for Bishops Conference, while he was detained under the Emergency regulations. Earlier Peter Soal, the PFP MP for Johannesburg North, read out in Parliament an affidavit by Father Mkhatshwa in which he said that during his detention he was left standing on the same spot for 30 hours, blindfolded and handcuffed. Father Mkhatshwa also said his freedom genitals and buttocks were exposed for 29 hours, a watery substance was smeared on his legs and thighs, two shots were fired behind him and a creepy substance or instrument fed into his backside' (Weekly Mail, 09.10.87). if we saw a well-built kaffir we'd know he was a tcrr. If he Militarisation had soft feet that would prove it beyond doubt, at least if we were out in the bush, because who else wears shoes? Sometimes you could also sec marks on his shoulders or his waist from the webbing. We'd interrogate him, and if he was and white stubborn he could have trouble. Maybe we tic him to the front of the Buffet and do a little bundu-bashing. Feel it? Why should I feel it? I wasn't on the front of the BuiTel. If South Africa he's still okay when we get tired of driving around maybe we give him a ratpack (a seven-day food supply) and tell him to shut up. Sometimes they shout and complain and then we have no choice, we have to finish him off. Sometimes he's Defence Minister Magnus Malan finished off before we stop driving. Then wc just untie him I says South Africa is prepared to and say farewell' (SADF soldier, Frontline, August 1985). pay a high price for 'freedom'. But, argues (ACKLYN COCK, no t would be comforting and that the man was (society can afford the costs which Ito think that people neither perverted nor militarisation imposes. who commit acts of vi­ sadistic...(but) terribly olence and cruelty are and terrifyingly nor­ 'different*; that they mal are vicious, sick, men­ Many South Africans tally ill, psychopaths - who engage in acts of pathological in some cruelty are terrifyingly way. But there is normal. They are powerful evidence to people who have been the contrary - evidence socialised into con­ that acts of group kill­ formity; into an ing, torture and cruelty unthinking obedience to may be performed by authority, or into the normal people. belief that some human Hannah Arendt wrote beings (jcws» moffies, of this 'banality of evil' kaffirs, communists or x in her coverage of the whatever) are non- trial of Nazi war crimi­ human and outside the nal Adolf Eichmann: boundaries which 4 The trouble with Eich­ define human/humane mann was precisely that treatment. so many were like him. War toys are part of

Work In Progress 19 _ ..:• ' • - • The cost of war this process of socialisation. pense and risks involved) and schools in the Transvaal - There is a connection between the state's determination to where selected Transvaal toys and torture - both are proceed with its nuclear pro­ Education Department tea­ symptoms of a highly mili­ gramme. The military chers now carry guns. tarised society. applications of nuclear power * the rapid increase in gun may provide a possible motive sales, with one in four white Mobilising for war for state interest in the further South Africans now owning a Militarisation involves the mo­ expansion of its nuclear pro­ gun; bilisation of resources for war. gramme; * reliance on the SADF to It is closely related to militar­ * the progressive extension suppress resistance in arenas ism which Michael Mann says of compulsory military service as diverse as education, health involves 'a set of attitudes and social practices which regard war and the preparation for war as a normal and desirable social activity*. Both militarism and militari­ sation are centered on the military as a social institution, a set of social relations or­ ganised around war. Whether the level of militari­ sation is measured through military expenditure, the size and sophistication of the wea­ pons systems, the scale of repression, or the political in­ fluence of the military. South Africa is a highly militarised society. Indicators of this are: * defence expenditure. In June 1987 the defence budget was increased by 30% over that of 1986 to R6 686-mil- lion. And there are bidden items which make it far larger than that - almost Rl 1 -million, according to one commenta­ tor; for white male youths - now and labour. The SADF has * the sophistication of its two years plus annual camps; been used to break the schools weapons system. Next year * the domination of the pol­ boycott in Soweto; for strike the state will have air-to-air itical system by a National breaking at Baragwanath Hos­ missiles and a remote-control­ Security Management System pital; in evicting squatters and led reconnaissance aircraft. controlled by the SADF and rent boycotters; and in the reg­ The state may even have nu­ the SAP; istration and screening of clear weapons. Many people * the local armaments indus­ students at the University of find it strange that South Afri­ try (Armscor) is the third the North (Turfloop); ca is so committed to largest corporation in South * a vigorous and spectacular developing nuclear energy, Africa. It is the largest arms consumerist militarism evident given the expense and dangers manufacturer in the southern in war toys, games and films involved. The Koeberg Alert hemisphere and the tenth lar­ which glorify military en­ Group has pointed to the ap­ gest in the world; counters. parent irrationality of further * increasing militarisation of Consumerist militarism nuclear development on the white schools through cadets, involves increasingly popular one hand (because of the ex­ youth preparedness, and veld war games. 'Lifestyle', the

20 Work In Progress Militarisation In SA

Sunday Times magazine of 13 glorification of war in terms of acknowledged that 28 of its September 1987, described which both actors and en­ troops died there in the last how 'George Raubenheimer, counters are portrayed in three months of 1987. But the 64 year old former SAAF heroic terms. There is an ac­ Angolan government claimed fighter pilot, author and busi­ ceptance - among the white that during the same period nessman, and a growing band community - of the power of 230 South African soldiers had of friends spend their Sundays the military and its encroach­ died there. Whichever version crawling through the bush, ment into civilian areas. one accepts, it is clear that armed to the teeth, firing Above all, war is viewed as South Africans, and no doubt marbles at each other with 'normal*. many Angolans, are dying be­ deadly accuracy and painful There are four direct and ob­ cause of the SADF's vious points at which citizens involvement in the Angolan connect to the SADF and the war. militarisation of society: Increasing numbers of white as conscripts with increasing South Africans are critical of length of service and all the the physical cost involved. For disruption of work, education example the father of a 20- and family relationships that year old conscript killed in prolonged separation involves. November 1987 when the ar­ Growing periods of compul­ moured car he was driving sory military service reflect was attacked by a Russian TS5 increased black resistance. rocket, criticised the SADF And the SADF relies heavily for 'putting young boys who on coercion to obtain its man­ didn't have a choice in the power: eight out of every nine front line. Our young boys members of the SADF are leave school, get called up for Citizen Force or National Ser­ service, train for three months vice conscripts; and then face rocket fire while as taxpayers who are footing the Permanent Force are sit­ an enormous bill for the war in ting behind desks controlling Angola. The Namibian war them from a distance'. costs South Africa more than A number of letters in the R2-million every day; local press at the time made as citizens increasingly ruled the same point. One quoted by an elaborate national se­ the historian Hay leu who said: curity system and other 'Beware of the generals - their extra-parliamentary structures job and function is to wage shrouded in secrecy; war'. results'. Dressed in camouf­ as eager and active consu­ Professor Green of the In­ lage they roam the bush near mers of a war culture. stitute for Development Hartebeespoort dam stalking Studies in Sussex has esti­ The high costs of each other and are part of a mated that as a proportion of militarisation growing number of people in the white population, the num­ South Africa who engage in The cost of militarisation is ber of white South Africans such sports. high, both in physical and psy­ who lost their lives fighting chological terms. Swapo is more than three Civilians and the SADF There is the 'final sacrifice' times the number of American This consumerist or 'spectator paid by young South African lives lost in Vietnam. sport' militarism is part of a men killed in action far from Increasing numbers of white pervasive ideology which ac­ home. It is extremely difficult South Africans are resisting cepts violence as the solution to speak with confidence about military service: the numbers to conflict and problems. It in­ the scale on which this is oc­ failing to report for duty at volves deep acceptance of curring. In Angola (which each call up is now secret, but organised state violence as a South African troops first in­ by all accounts it rose very legitimate response, with a vaded in 1975) the SADF dramatically since the use of

Work In Progress 21 The cost of war

the SADF in the townships aggressive tendencies, and a * the incidence of coronary after October 1984. Growing deep sense of alienation and disease is among the five hig­ numbers of conscripts have meaninglessness among these hest in the world; applied to the Board for Relig­ soldiers. * the number of vehicle acci­ ious Objection. And many of Military training involves a dents is among the highest in South Africa's most competent kind of social programming the world; and talented young men emi­ that teaches unquestioning * rape is increasing to an grate each year. obedience. As one writer has average of one every two According to parliamentary put it, *In war, man is much minutes; statistics released in February more a sheep than a wolf. He * suicides in the white com­ 1987, a total of 2 164 profes­ follows, he obeys. War is ser­ munity are dramatically sional people emigrated in vility, not aggressiveness*. increasing. 1986. While 1 026 immi­ Military training also Such indicators have led the grated, the nett loss for the involves a process of de- director of the Unit for Clini­ country was 1 138 or, on aver­ humanisation. The process is cal Psychology at the age, just more than three per best illustrated by an Ameri­ University of Stellenbosch, day. Over 47% more profes­ can sociologist who described Hendrik Kotze, to describe sional and technical people left an incident from his training in South Africa as 'one of the the country than during 198S. the Marines: 'On the last day most psychologically ill so­ The costs of war go further of training before leaving for cieties in the world*. than this. Estimates in a new Vietnam we were ushered into Perhaps the most horrifying book on the Second World a clearing where a staff ser­ indicator of the extent of this War suggest that 80-million geant stood holding a rabbit. breakage is the escalation of people were killed if one in­ He stroked and petted it. As domestic violence in the white cludes those who died of soon as we were all seated and community. Forty people were starvation and illness as a di­ with no word of explanation, killed in family murders dur­ rect result of the war. he crushed its head with a rock ing 1987; family murders Casualties in the Vietnam war and proceeded to actually skin seem to be almost exclusively were horrific. Fifty-four thou­ and disembowel the animal a white phenomenon. Accord­ sand Americans died in with his bare hands and teeth ing to Rev van Arkel, 'South Vietnam, 153 000 were while showering the entrails African men - particularly Af­ wounded and an undisclosed on us. As we left the clearing rikaans men - have the dubious number crippled for life. he stood there with fur all distinction of committing Something like three-million around his mouth and blood more family murders than men Vietnamese died - mainly running down his throat*. in any other society in the civilians. world*. He relates this phe- A psychologically damaged nomen to 'escalation of But the human cost of the society violence at all levels of our so­ Vietnam war goes deeper than ciety'. casualty figures. By 1971 al­ It is not difficult to understand most SO 000 Vietnam veterans how military trainees became Public and private violence in the US had died since dis­ psychologically damaged by charge and return to civilian their experiences. And it is not The core component of mili­ life. There were three main difficult to understand how tarism is a reliance on violence causes: suicide, drug overdose such damage could spread out as a solution to problems and and vehicle accidents. Levels and stain an entire society. conflict. The public and pri­ of all three of these social in­ There are many indicators vate spheres are connected by dicators are also high in white that South Africa is a psycho­ a war culture, which includes South African society. logically damaged society: a central notion of security. For many young men, their * as many as 25% of South The state claims that violence two years of military service Africans between 12 and 25 (or force) is necessary to pro­ are a psychologically disturb­ are actively engaged in some tect state security - but this ing experience. Research by form of drug abuse; violence spirals and spreads so Diane Sandler involving case * South Africa's divorce rate that many are fearful and studies of soldiers who have is among the three highest in anxious about personal se­ done township duty reveals the world; curity.

22 Work In Progress \ ' ""'

MUitartMtion In SA J V.'-' ."' t'.lA X J xV I " . .L s . ,^ . . < - .- • " - • ' - • • '. j T *. v . . ~ * • The level of fear for personal Violence 2: The counter-vi­ inexcusable. National security security has led one journalist olence of revolt in riots, bomb was not endangered but the to describe South Africa as attacks, and eventually gueril­ right of families to know 'the frightened society*. Writ­ la warfare; elementary details about the ing in the October 1987 issue Violence 3: The action by the health of their servicemen sons of Living, Chloe Rolfcs de­ authorities to re-establish their and husbands most certainly scribes security as the biggest control when they resort to im­ was*. boom business of the 1980s. prisonment without trial, The editorial concluded that According to her, some 20 torture and the taking of life. the SADF was 'indescribably armed response security firms Some kinds of violence are arrogant in its approach to operate in the Johannesburg particularly upsetting, such as information that should, by area alone. the 'necklacing' of a suspected any criteria, be in the public Some of these security firms police informer. But are we domain'. are explicitly militarist. For ever shown television pictures This points to one of the most example a local newspaper de­ of the official killing which alarming aspects of militarism scribed a new firm as follows: takes place in Pretoria? This is - both here in South Africa and 'Fire Force Security is the not called 'killing' - it is called as a global phenomenon: its name of an impressive new se­ 'capital punishment' or execu­ secrecy. It is through secrecy, curity company which is run tion. The late president of the through silence - a silence on professional, military Bar Council, Advocate Ernie which distorts and damages lines'. Wentzel, noted that the state any attempt to gain under­ has the technology in Pretoria Some security firms market standing - that consent to Central Prison to hang several militarism is secured. themselves in a blatantly racist people simultaneously. No manner. A pamphlet to resi­ doubt this too would be upset­ After the October 1987 strike dents of Johannesburg headed ting to watch - yet violence by into Angola the minister of 'Time is Running Out' issued the state is strangely absent defence said: 'South Africa is by Linden Sentinel poses the from most discussions of the prepared to pay the price (for question, 'What is happening problem of violence. freedom), and it knows the to our suburbs?' The answer: price is high*. "They are systematically being High levels of military inhabited by Blacks'. Secrecy and security spending drain resources away This fear is also evident in There is some evidence that from urgent needs in the areas the dramatic increase in arms elements in the white com­ of housing, education and sales which makes white South munity are becoming health. There is a clear link Africa one of the most heav­ intolerant of the suppression of between this level of military ily-armed communities in the information in the name of spending and poverty and de­ world. 'national security'. For privation in the rest of the A war psychosis or siege example, in January, the Sun­ social order. Emigration is a mentality creates the demand day Times reported that six further drain on the skilled for these security firms and soldiers had died of a virulent personpower needed to tackle firearms. Violence is the cen­ strain of malaria caught while these social problems. tral organising principle in our in Angola and that scores of In social terms, a society has society: the official or re­ others had been admitted to developed in which personal pressive violence of the state hospital. According to its edi­ relationships are fragile and and the reactive violence of torial of 10 January 1988, family units fractured as in­ the oppressed people. But this 'The initial response of the creasing numbers of young spiral of violence is not unjque military authorities was to people leave the country. to South Africa. It has been minimise the scale of the In psychological terms, described by Dom Helder epidemic and then to refuse to South African society has Camara, Archbishop of release the names of the fatal­ become a battlefield littered Recife, Brazil as follows: ities for "security reasons'... with the bodies of damaged Violence 1: The injustice of The SADF's reticence to pro­ people. oppressive laws and exploita­ vide information in this case No society can afford a price tion; was both inexplicable and so high. v J*L IjVfl L L X ^... y< sw ••• :> ; &aft&&- < ;* £ £

.. ,:•,' •quad* r '"£ :J::. »• » » ». efence Minister Magnus Malan set out the policy on 19 DFebruary : 'Wherever the ANC is, we will eliminate it\ he said. Nor, he said, would it be only the formally acknowledged Politics South African security forces doing the eliminating. Malan also spoke of a bounty system, where rewards could be paid for in­ formation leading to the capture of 'terrorists'. In the weeks following this statement: * The ANC's chief representative in France, Dulcie Septem­ with a ber, was assassinated in Paris. * A 17 kilogram bomb was found outside the ANC's Brussels office - after burst of gunfire had failed to 'eliminate' ANC representative Godfrey Motsepe. price * An alleged ANC official was shot in Lesotho and, when his would-be assassins failed to kill him, they entered the hospital room in which he was recovering from his wounds and finished the job. on its * And a prominent ANC member and university law profes­ sor, Albie Sachs, lost an arm in a car bomb explosion outside his Maputo apartment. South African government sources have denied involvement in these acts of terror. head They were less coy about a cross-border raid into Botswana, in which three Botswana nationals and a South African exile were savagely murdered and their bodies incinerated. After furious Bo t swan an accusations of 'murdering innocent civilians in their sleep', South African security sources claimed that one of the four murdered was a senior Umkhonto we Sizwe com­ mander. They did not explain why their representatives poured petrol on the bodies, and set fire to them. Assassination and abduction of apartheid's opponents is not new. The first known abduction of anti-apartheid activists from neighbouring territories occurred in 1963. And the first known assassination in February 1974 - when Ongeposte Tiro was

Every 12 days since the beginning of this year there has been at least one serious armed attack on an anti-apartheid activist outside South Africa. GLENN MOSS reports.

24 " Work hVProgrm Aptrthld ttftjjj aquada killed by a letter bomb in the ANC men because I knew and counter-insurgency tac­ Botswana. it happened before*. Referring tics, and its involvement of The list of victims has to his pocket diary, Van der civilians. mounted steadily since then: Merwe told the court that he Yet South African agents Senior ANC representative Joe had been on the South Afri­ have distinguished themselves Oqabi - gunned down in his can-Swaziland border on the by conducting a particularly Harare home in 1980; promi­ night of 8 July 1987. There he dirty and deceitful war. Sup­ nent ANC members Ruth First had talked to four security port for rebel and terrorist and Jeanette Curtis (Schoon) - police members from Pretoria organisations in neighbouring killed in parcel-bomb who said that they were on a states; military and other at­ explosions; the ANC's Ablom clandestine mission. Later be tacks on 'soft* and civilian overheard them talking about targets; car and parcel bombs Duma and Phyllis Naidoo - aimed at civilians. These have badly injured in parcel-bomb 'the BMW and the weapons* been some of South Africa's blasts; the Nzima couple - already being over the border. tactics of war. killed in Swaziland when a Sometime late on the night of powerful bomb destroyed their 8 July 1987, or early the fol­ And they have not been con­ car; and Ismail Ebrahim, cur­ lowing morning, two senior fined to destabilisation and rently on trial for treason was ANC officials were murdered bullying of neighbouring kidnapped from his Swaziland in Swaziland. They were countries. Within the country, home and taken directly to chased by three white occu­ powerful evidence is mounting security police headquarters in pants in a BMW motor car, that agents of the state are in­ Pretoria. forced off the road, and volved in vigilante violence But in the last few months gunned down. against apartheid's opponents; action against opponents of One of those killed, Cassius that rampaging soldiers have apartheid - in particular ANC Make, was a member of the been involved in late-night members - appears to have ANC's national executive abductions, assaults, interro­ changed from random committee; the other, Paul Di­ gations and murders. slaughter to a sustained cam­ ke led i, was named by an ANC Transvaal attorney-general paign; from individual covert defector as an active member Donald Brunette has recently hits to generalised policy - a of Umkhonto we Sizwe. declined to prosecute eight policy that would dovetail When Van der Merwe read soldiers accused of abducting a almost exactly with the state­ about the assassination of Duduza anti-apartheid activist ment: 'Wherever the ANC is, ANC members, he told the from his home, taking him we will eliminate it*. Every 12 court later, he 'definitely con­ into the open veld, and inter­ days since the beginning of the nected the incident with the rogating him at gunpoint while year there has been at least one conversation'. being forced to lie face-down armed attack on an ANC Police denied responsibility on a grave. According to the member living outside South for the murder of Make and victim of this attack, Vusi Ma- Africa. Dikeledi. shabane, he only escaped death because the soldiers Security police assassins? War and morality were initially unsure of his Evidence in a recently- These and other incidents flow identity. Police investigating concluded murder trial of two from South Africa's low the case indicated that these policemen gives the lie to intensity civil war, in which the facts were not in dispute, but South Africa's repeated denials major armed actors are repre­ that the soldiers claimed they of involvement in acts of sented by the South African were acting in accordance with terror. police and defence force, and emergency regulations. Detective Sergeant Robert the ANC's Umkhonto we In the ongoing civil case in van der. Merwe, recently sen­ Sizwe. which 21 families are suing tenced to death fori; his Wars involve many casual­ Minister of Law and Order involvement in the killing.-of ties, of which truth and Adriaan Vlok for damages two underworld characters he- morality are only two. This is arising out of police action and cause lift'believed they/had probably more true for civil inaction in vigilante violence ANC $ti, has testified that*I than conventional warfare, at the KTC squatter camp, did iiof Qpsitate to assasnnjne with'its emphasis on guerilla government has four times iiuU- *J _^ Aparthld d«srth ggg • refused lawyers acting for the African diplomats in foreign tarily by agents of the South families access to documenta­ countries, or apartheid suppor­ African state for at least five tion concerning police and ting intellectuals in South years. defence force actions during African universities. Again, As far back as February the KTC conflict. The auth­ there is no indication that 1983, dissidents met South Af­ orities clearly have much to Umkhonto we Sizwe has fol­ rican agents in Botswana, who hide concerning the conduct of lowed this course of action. allegedly provided the dissi­ their 'security forces'. dents with weapons, money The South African state be­ In the courts and medical supplies. lieves it has the legal and Disinformation, deception and In another Harare court case, moral right to attack ANC secrecy are the hallmark of six men face charges of mur­ military targets (including per­ counter-insurgency, destabili- der arising from a January sonnel), while the ANC sation and covert operations. 1988 bomb blast outside an asserts that it conducts its mili­ Yet sometimes the veil lifts suf­ ANC house in Bulawayo. Sub­ tary struggle in accordance ficiently for those on the sequent to this blast, about 17 with a Geneva Convention outside to catch a glimpse of a people were detained by Zim­ protocol covering wars of world they sometimes did not babwean police, and Foreign national liberation. even know existed. Minister Nathan Shamuyarira The ANC could point to South Africa's ongoing sup­ claimed that a South African- South African attacks on civil­ port for Renamo (MNR) as a run sabotage network ians in neighbouring states, means of destabilising and responsible for a seven-year assassination squads stalking controlling Mozambique is campaign of bombings and ANC members in Southern well-documented. But Ser­ assassinations had been Africa and, increasingly, geant Van der Merwe added smashed. Europe, in its assessment of another piece to the jigsaw According to Shamuyarira, South African conduct in the puzzle when he explained his 'The network was based on war. Pro-government adher­ belief that illegal covert oper­ fanners and other pro Rhode- ents will point to Umkhonto ations were common in South sian elements in the Bulawayo car bombs in civilian urban Africa. and Fort Rixon area*. State­ areas and land mines on farm While in Nelspruit, testified ments made by its members in roads used by farmers, farm van der Merwe, he met a detention 'exposed the exten­ workers and their families. Commandant John Vorster sive nature of South African But there is no doubt that who said he was responsible destablisation from 1981 to thusfar the ANC's war con­ for liaison between the South 1986, such as the attack on In- duct has been substantially African government and an or­ komo Arms dump in 1981 up more restrained than the South ganisation which van der to the recent car-bomb attack African state's. Of the over Merwe understood to be Rena­ in Bulawayo'. The arrested 250 ANC guerilla attacks re­ mo. *I saw various weapons of agents also allegedly revealed corded in South Africa last communist origin in his garage how they obtained arms from year, only a handful involved and I made the inference that South African agents, and civilian casualties. A pro­ they were destined for this or­ were paid through South Afri­ gramme of assassination of ganisation', explained Van der can banks. political and military leaden Merwe. Defence lawyers for the six has not thusfar featured on In a Zimbabwe court, the accused have said that, for the Umkhonto we Sizwe's list of South African state stands ac­ moment at least, their clients actions, neither has the use of cused with three Zimbabweans are cooperating with the inves­ parcel bombs sent to civilians and a Botswanan national who tigation. And a Zimbabwean been recorded. are charged with acts of terror­ official said the six had sup­ Assassination attempts on ism aimed at overthrowing plied 'an amazing amount of non-military ANC personnel Robert Mugabe's government. information* in an investiga­ such as chief representatives in According to the prosecution, tion which is expected to be Paris and Brussels, or political Zimbabwean dissidents often highly embarassing for the intellectuals like Albie Sachs responsible for civilian attacks South African government in Maputo, are the equivalent in Matabeleland have been The South African Defence of plans to assassinate South supported financially and mili- Force has recently acknow-

26 Workta Progress Apwthld d—th aqimda ledged that it runs agents in South Africa's National Intel­ And when senior cabinet min- Zimbabwe. Reacting to a re­ ligence Service (NIS) as being ister's boast of 'bounty port that Pretoria had paid responsible for the assassina­ systems' and 'elimination' as a Richard Woodcroft R40 000 in tion of Dulcie September. response to political opposi­ an out-of-court settlement Many believe that the at­ tion? after Woodcroft claimed he tempted murder of the ANC's Linking the South African had been duped into assisting a Brussels chief, Godfrey Mot- state to each and every assassi­ South African raid in Zim­ sepe, and the subsequent nation or bomb blast aimed at babwe, a defence force discovery of a bomb outside ANC members may not be spokesman said: 'The SADF the ANC's Belgium office, possible. But evidence is confirms an amount was of­ can be traced back to similar mounting that South Africa is fered to Woodcroft which he initiatives. ruled by a rogue government accepted. The amount was British police have long been which will not baulk at inter­ offered to him because the aware of a 'hit-list' of ANC national terrorism as a means SADF regarded him as its leaden, and Scotland Yard is of controlling opposition to its agent and consequently wished providing extra protection for apartheid-ruled society. to compensate him*. ANC officials living in During the trial of Sergeant Woodcroft spent 18 months London. Van der Merwe, his defence in detention in Zimbabwe for A former US mercenary, council argued that his client alleged complicity in the May Jack Terrell, has claimed that had believed he was acting in 1986 South African raid on South African intelligence the national interest when he ANC buildings in Harare. agents asked him to form an shot people he thought were And a Zambian court recent­ eight-man 'hit team' to as­ ANC members. ly sentenced an alleged SADF sassinate ANC sympathisers Referring to Magnus Malan's member, Isaiah Moyo (32), to and members in the US. He promise to 'eliminate the SO years imprisonment. A Lu­ ultimately decided not to take ANC, Advocate Bill Maritz saka high court judge found part in the scheme, and dis­ argued that 'The government that the prosecution had closed the offer to FBI agents has presented us with a dan­ proved that between October in July 1986. gerous double standard in 1982 and March 1986 Moyo Subsequently, FBI agents declaring that if it is in the na­ collected information about warned ANC representatives tional interest, we will act Zambian strategic installations in the US to be alert to the against the ANC wherever and ANC and Swapo installa­ possibility of right-wing hit they are. tions. This information was squads. 'Members of the defence passed onto a Peter Koeke- Assassination and deception, force who took part in the Bot­ rooer, identified as an SADF destabilisation and disinforma­ swana raid...will probably be officer. tion: these are the weapons of given medals - yet my war which have replaced John client...who believed he was International terrorism Vorster and Jimmy Kruger's doing exactly the same, stands The South African civil war era of legally-sanctioned re­ in the shadow of the gallows*. has serious effects on Southern pression. They reflect the Whether the actions of agents Africa. And frontline state dominance of Magnus Malan's operating in apartheid's inter­ leaders have long viewed the military structures within the ests are formally approved at South African government as state, and raise dilemmas of cabinet level, or national an exporter of terrorism. universal significance for all security council level or not at But the effects of this conflict touched by South Africa's all, is immaterial. On 19 Fe­ have now moved further expanding civil war. bruary Defence Minister afield, with allegations that What, for example, does the Magnus Malan announced a South African-backed and or­ ordinary citizen do when the policy. Ultimately, the gov­ ganised death squads are ruling government places itself ernment must take hunting ANC leaders in Eu­ outside the law? When police responsibility for the creation rope, the United Kingdom and squads enter foreign countries of a climate in which members the USA. to assassinate political oppo­ of its 'security forces* can act Fench newspapers have nents? When soldiers murder without regard to normal named an alleged agent of and politicians support them? national or international law.

Work In Prograaa 27 Opttotw for r—i«tanc« polltlo Winning white support for democracy

t is often said that liberation Working to win support in the ruling bloc. The demise Iwill only be won in South from the white bloc for and paralysis of the Pro­ Africa through the strength of democratic positions gressive Federal Party; the the mass movement. This is involves tactics and fracturing of Afrikaner unity; true. But by itself it is not alliances very different the moral and political bank­ enough. from those formed amongst ruptcy of the Nationalist The struggle for liberation is the oppressed. But, argues government; the rise of new against an opposing force of the UDF-affiliated groupings such as Idasa, the immense power and resource. Johannesburg Democratic NDM and the independents; If both the mass movement Action Committee (Jodac), the increase of dissidence and the forces of apartheid are compromises necessary to amongst churches, business, strong, stalemate rather than achieve this are an integral intellectuals and youth; and the liberation may result. part of the liberation success of the Five Freedoms struggle/ which can be won Forum conference: all are Only when the democratic only by strengthening the signs of greater fluidityan d di­ movement is very powerful democratic movement at vision in white politics. and when apartheid forces the same time as This opens up the possibility become too weak to continue weakening the ruling bloc. of the ruling bloc being weak­ ruling will the day of libera­ ened to a point where there is tion be in sight. It is therefore confidence in National Party little unity of purpose and no necessary to consider strengths rule, and most important clear ideological cohesion on and weaknesses dialectically - forces within the white ruling the major political and econ­ in relation to the strengths and bloc had faith in the political omic issues. Divisions weaknesses of the enemy. and ideological programme of between different factions in A strong and well-organised apartheid. ruling class alliance with a However, the sustained and the National Party, govern­ clear political programme, a far-reaching mass resistance in ment and the state could powerful state and a broad the period 1984-7, coupled deepen, paralysing state support base among the popu­ with the deep political and action. lation makes for an enemy economic crisis of apartheid, There is a potential for im­ which is virtually unbeatable. has altered this. Despite the ef­ portant ruling bloc forces to This was the situation until forts of the apartheid state to oppose the state, and its recently in South Africa. Not contain the crisis with repress­ strategies. Some could lose only was the apartheid state ion, news blackouts and a faith in minority rule, lose strong and relatively unified, steady barrage of propaganda, their will to defend it and even but the majority of whites had deep divisions have appeared look to the democratic move- 28 WorVfrl ProgreS •. • Options for resistance politics meat for guidance. This situ­ But it is not possible for the alliances with it. And a strate­ ation does not yet exist, complete elimination of apart­ gy of broad alliances continues although conditions are ripen­ heid (ie a transition to to depend on the strength and ing for its emergence. majority rule) to come about success of the mass move­ These new conditions have through the government's re­ ment. arisen as a result of the mass form programme. Over the last 18 months, sec­ resistance launched over the All the current evidence sug­ tors of the democratic 1980s. But mass resistance on gests that the state is moving movement have suffered its own may not weaken and in the direction of a military- severe setbacks as a result of divide the ruling bloc. White dominated autocracy rather state repression. In some areas democrats need to campaign than a non-racial democracy. this has forced it into tempor­ and organise actively in the Until there is some form of ary retreat, and more white bloc so as to win broad transfer of power the post- generally has necessitated a re­ support for the democratic apartheid era cannot begin. assessment of strategies. movement, and to weaken and And it is not illuminating to However, even in this peri­ isolate the apartheid regime. compare gains at the work­ od, important successes have It is not necessary for the place and reforms in labour been noted: the growth of Co- broad anti-apartheid alliance legislation won through 'con­ satu, the success of the to adopt the full political pro­ structive engagement' with the railway, post office and other gramme of the democratic bosses and the state, with win­ major strikes, the formation of movement, which is made up ning state power through national youth, student, of a wide grouping of organi­ comparable methods. The fac­ women's and cultural bodies, sations with a shared tory floor is a unique arena of the growing national and inter­ commitment to a non-racial, conflict with dynamics very national recognition of the united and democratic future. different to those of the ANC as a key to resolving the The democratic movement broader political arena. crisis and the gains made in often refers specifically to or­ This view of 'incremental terms of isolating white South ganisations which subscribe to change* usually assumes that Africa internationally. The the Freedom Charter, and are the mass movement is very setbacks of the 1980s are not affiliated to the UDF or Co- weakened or about to be de­ reminiscent of those of the satu. The broadness of the feated, demonstrating lack of 1960s. The democratic move­ anti-apartheid alliance will en­ faith in the potential of mass ment has been shaken, but not able it to reach whites that the struggle. This pessimism fails defeated. democratic movement as such to acknowledge that mass could never reach, and mo­ struggles of the last period Questioning broad alliances bilise them against apartheid. have registered significant suc­ For some observers, the demo­ cesses. These include the cratic movement is being Shaken - but not defeated weakening of the tri-cameral forced into alliances by these Many have misconceptions parliament, and discrediting of recent setbacks. This analysis about this approach to working the black local authorities to of politics and assessment of in white areas. Some liberals an extent which has robbed the the current balance of forces is (including a few of a 'worker- apartheid state of any viable faulty. However, many com­ ist" bent) have suggested that political strategy in the op­ mitted activists are asking transformation in South Africa pressed communities. important and critical questions is impossible. The state of These successes have created regarding the strategy of broad emergency, they argue, has confusion and division within alliances. Among these ques­ proved the limitations of taking the ruling bloc, opening up tions are the following: on the state directly. The way potential for broad alliances. Does engaging in broad forward is through 'incremen­ The strength and resilience of alliances not show a lack of tal* change by working with mass resistance has forced a faith in the masses, leading (and within) die state for re­ range of groupings in the to compromises and a form - in the same way that the middle ground to see the writ­ weakening of the mass trade unions have won reforms ing on the wall, to recognise struggle? and wage increases through the importance of the demo­ Building broad alliances in collective bargaining. cratic movement, and to seek the ruling bloc, and streng- i .lit Option* lor rtltttnci pontics

thening mass organisation and fensive at an ideological level. ialist forces a bridgehead action, are not mutually exclu­ The UDF and Cosatu have, in Into the democratic move­ sive. They are complementary the process won the moral ment, from which they can parts of an overall strategy to highground in Pietermaritz- undermine and dilute the achieve liberation in South Af­ burg politics. struggle? rica - to strengthen the By developing relations Imperialism is not a monoli­ democratic movement on the with groups like Idasa, the thic force that simply one hand, and weaken the NDM and the PFP, are you 'possesses' all that it touches. apartheid regime on the other. not giving them the oppor­ It operates directly through the The success of any strategy tunity and credibility to actions of American and Brit­ in gaining ground in the ruling hijack the democratic ish governments and bloc, far from weakening or struggle? companies, as well as through compromising the mass move­ Caution about many of the a variety of informal attempts ment, actually depends on the groups in the middle ground is to gain influence and control, strength of the mass move­ correct. But it is wrong to see eg funding, education pro­ ment. all those groups and individ­ grammes, media, establishing White democrats gain their uals as agents of capitalism or links with various organisa­ credibility in white politics imperialism. This would be a tions and individuals and so precisely because of their rela­ one-dimensional view of poli­ on. tion to the organisations of the tics. Between the apartheid Imperialism engages in a mass movement. They com­ state and the democratic struggle to gain influence and mand respect through movement there is a political control, and one of the critical affiliation to the United middle ground, made up of a arenas for this struggle is pre­ Democratic Front. range of organisations and in­ cisely the middle ground. It Progress in the white arena dividuals. Many of these share seldom has ready-made can help to protect and ad­ some of the democratic move- agents, but rather tries to re­ vance the mass movement. ment's concerns without cruit them. White democrats contribute to accepting its whole pro­ The reformist forces and this partly by taking the mess­ gramme. groups that exist in the middle age of (he democratic They have their own history, ground of white politics can fit movement into the white their own reasons for coming easily into an imperialist agen­ arena, and thus into the ruling into existence, their own agen­ da for South Africa. But they bloc, and partly by exposing das. They cannot simply be can also be incorporated into a and campaigning against the assumed to represent the direct democratic agenda. By enter­ brutalities of state repression. interests of capital or imperial­ ing into alliances on the In this way it is possible to ism or to have a crude interest middle ground, white demo­ block some of the state's in co-opting democratic poli­ crats are not only weakening blows. One example of this is tics. This middle ground apartheid. They are also limi­ the success of the 'Free the constitutes a site of struggle ting the options open to Children* campaign. and the risks involved have to imperialism. They are shifting A more complex example is be concretely weighed in the moral, ideological and or­ provided by the Pietermaritz- terms of the political gains or ganisational framework within burg 'peace process*. The losses that can be made in which middle ground politics UDF and Cosatu have shown, working in this way. This is operates. One consequence of by their preparedness to nego­ more complex than the simple this is the pre-emption of tiate through the Chamber of notion of 'hijacking' allows destructive imperialist inter­ Commerce, and by their just and depends on an assessment vention. and principled approach to the of the balance of forces within An example of this is pro­ problem of violence, that In- the middle ground and the vided by the issue of katha is the aggressor and a concrete implications of tang­ negotiations. Currently the close ally of the state. The re­ ling with the PFP or the major imperialist forces port­ sult is that important sectors of NDM. ray the South African crisis as white opinion are being alie­ What about Imperialism it­ a war between two intractable nated from Inkatha; this is self? By working In this way and unreasonable parties - the forcing Inkatha onto the de­ are you not allowing imper­ South African government and

30 - Work In Progress Options for resistance politics

the ANC. At the same time, oppressed have fundamentally to 'buy out the democratic they suggest that the ANC is different interests to those of movement*, business is instead simply one amongst a number the capitalist class. It is essen­ looking in the opposite direc­ of anti-apartheid organisa­ tial that everything possible is tion, having been silenced by tions, and that it should not be done to support the struggle of prosperity and threats. given a dominant position in the working class, and also In the short term it is import­ negotiations. Thatcher and Re­ that nothing we do provides an ant to do everything possible agan are pressurising both obstacle to the achievement to to re-open the cracks between parties to be 'reasonable' and capital and the state, win busi­ come to the negotiating table, both the short- and the long- term goals of the workers. ness support even on limited while aiming to dilute the issues and thereby undermine power and weight of the ANC But the interests of big busi­ ness and the apartheid state do the unity of the ruling bloc. In as much as possible. Many of the longer term a working re­ the groups on the middle not always coincide. In certain respects the gulf between the lationship and co-operation ground probably agree with between business and the this approach. two has widened. For example, most elements of big democratic movement needs to be cemented. The view of the democratic business would like to see the movement is that the ANC has repeal of the Group Areas Act. There ought to be no illu­ always been ready to nego­ The government has made it sions about the extent to which tiate, but that the government clear that this is not on the a post-apartheid society will is the violent party which re­ cards for the moment. rely on capital's knowledge fuses to negotiate seriously. Likewise, some important and resources. The necessary The source of the civil war is businessmen have called for alliance needs to be built now, apartheid, and it is the Nation­ the release of Mandela, and a without any delusions about alists who have refused to few for an end to the emer­ the fundamental differences abandon this policy and who gency. dividing business and the have insisted on fighting rather than talking. Therefore press­ The fact that these same busi­ democratic movement. ure needs to be brought to bear nessmen may be tempted to call in the police when their The experience of other on the government to come to struggles the table and seriously nego­ workers go on strike should tiate the end of apartheid. It is not be a surprise. This is an The arguments for participating also important that negotia­ area where their interests tend in broad alliances are partly tions take place between the to be with the apartheid state based on the historical experi­ main forces as far as possible. rather than the democratic ence of other struggles. movement. Activists in the Philippines, for The task in the middle White democrats working in instance, blame themselves for ground is to put forward this the middle ground need to not working effectively in the view and persuade other exacerbate the divisions be­ middle ground. This left the groups to support it, thus iso­ tween capital and the state. middle classes to provide a lating and pressurising the They must ensure that on as firm foundation for Cory Aqui­ government and at the same many issues as possible capital no's government, which is tune discrediting the position supports at least the demo­ precisely the solution which of imperialism and reducing cratic movement's short-term most favours American im­ its influence. demands, is susceptible to perialism. In Chile too. But what about big busi­ mass pressure and open to Popular Unity failed to win ness? How can you be trying influence. over the middle classes, which to develop closer relations Over the last year govern­ proceeded to undermine and with the same capitalists ment attacks on Chris Ball, the sabotage the Allende govern­ whom workers are fighting Dakar safari and the talks be­ ment and open the way for every day of their lives? Are tween business and the ANC American intervention and the you not Ignoring the fact have contributed to business military coup. that the multi-nationals are shying away from politics in In Nicaragua, on the other as much the enemy as PW general and the democratic hand, the Sandinista's man­ Botha? movement in particular. Far aged an astute and mature The working class and the from trying to use its influence handling of contradictions be-

Woric In Progress 31 for resistance

iwecn the middle classes and degree of redistribution of cannot be decided through ab­ Somoza, between local capi­ wealth. stract categories. talists and Somoza and The overall strategy for American capital, and between achieving this is to build and The politics of alliances the American government and strengthen the democratic Any alliance requires com­ the social-democratic parties movement, based primarily on promise and flexibility. The in Europe. This allowed them mass organisation, and to type of compromise and flexi­ to win hegemony both within weaken and isolate the forces bility demanded will depend on Nicaragua and internationally, of apartheid by winning hege­ the conjuncture, the specific and effectively tie America's mony within the broad ranks terrain of struggle, overall bal­ hands and prevent intervention of opposition forces. This will ance of forces, etc. Again, this by the Carter government. ensure the deepest possible is a concrete tactical question. Even today, the Contras have political and social transforma­ White politics, ie politics in no social base inside the tion in a new South Africa. country and are kept going the ruling bloc, differs im­ solely by the financial injec­ These goals and overall mensely from politics amongst tions of the rabidly strategy necessarily entail al­ the, oppressed. The kinds of interventionist Reagan admin­ liances. This has always been compromises and flexibility istration. a component of national demo­ required for building alliances cratic struggle, and requires here will be decided by the Work in the middle ground is entry into any alliance that will political, cultural and ideologi­ strategically critical if the poli­ strengthen opposition to apart­ cal terrain of white politics. tics of the democratic heid and weaken apartheid Features of the white political movement is to win hegemony itself. terrain include the following: and undermine the social base But this does not involve * while a broad layer of of the present order. entry into any and every avail­ whites oppose apartheid, they It is also critical for the fu­ able alliance. Alliances which do not support one-person- ture to ensure the broadest force compromise in the one-vote in a non-racial possible social base for a development of mass organisa­ democracy. They are attracted people's government after tion can never be made. If, for by the idea of 'group rights' liberation, and the narrowest instance, an alliance with busi­ (and privileges); possible base for counter-rev­ ness on a specific issue * whites are extremely inse­ olution, both in the form of an required the curbing and cure about the future; armed right wing, and econ­ weakening of trade unions and * whites are generally com­ omic sabotage. The acceptance the demands of workers, it mitted to parliamentary, and respect, if not the active would be unacceptable. reformist politics; support, of powerful sectors of Nor is a relationship which * whites generally hold a white society for the demo­ cratic movement has to be won strengthens apartheid accept­ fundamental belief in 'free-en­ to limit the potential for post- able. The democratic terprise' capitalism; liberation reaction. movement could not enter into * they have a benign attitude an alliance with the Labour to the western imperialist Party and other tricameral countries, and support tip Tactics and goals in alliance groupings in 1984 because this Thatcher-Reagan approach to politics would have served apartheid's South Africa; Alliance politics distinguishes interests. * they hold to a very firm between overall goals, and These principles provide a anti-sanctions position. strategy and tactics. We need to clear political perspective Building broad alliances with be firm and uncompromising in from which to assess entry into white opposition groupings our goals, while striving for a specific alliance: will the al­ will have to accommodate strategic and tactical flexibility. liance advance overall goals these core-beliefs. Democrats The democratic movement's and strategy, or subvert them cannot demand that the Free­ goals are well-known: estab­ by compromising goals and dom Charter be the guiding lishment of a non-racial weakening mass struggle? document for all alliances, or democratic society based on These are concrete strategic that all alliances should pass the Freedom Charter, which and tactical questions requir­ resolutions condemning im­ envisages a considerable ing conjunctural analysis: they perialism, capitalism and 32 Work-In Progress Optlont for resistance politics

calling for sanctions. community, there will be ideo­ lish the national hegemony of Examples of valuable com­ logical competition and the democratic movement. promises made in the past arguments between different Ultimately, this means dem­ include the case of the End groups. This is fruitful and im­ onstrating - even to those who Conscription Campaign, portant. Some will try to disagree with us - that it is the which has several UDF affil­ persuade supporters of the only force capable of resolving, iates and many UDF democratic movement by the the political and economic supporting activists. But the force of their arguments; and crisis facing the nation. We ECC decided not to affiliate to democrats will try to persuade must show that the broad the UDF, since that would them likewise. In this way we democratic movement is the narrow its base, cutting off hope to increase white under­ only political force that can many young whites opposed to standing of and respect for the lead the nation to peace, jus­ conscription, but not necessar­ UDF, and win their support tice and democracy, and heal' ily seeing themselves as UDF for some democratic positions. the ravages of civil war, racial supporters. This has not But this should not be pushed hatred and fear. weakened the democratic to the point where it jeopard­ movement, it has broadened ises the alliance itself. Thus Entering broad alliances and opposition to apartheid war, when the Five Freedoms winning the confidence and re­ and awakened a critical atti­ Forum decided that Bob spect of our allies, without tude among young whites. Tucker should speak in sup­ trying to impose our view on port of capitalism at the FFF them, is a vital dimension of Similarly, given the belief in conference, it would have establishing the democratic parliament held by most been wrong for white demo­ movement's hegemony. Build­ whites, it would be unwise for crats to withdraw, even though ing this involves at the same white democrats working in many of them reject capital­ time demoralising, undermin­ broad alliances to adopt a ism. Just as a committed ing and isolating the forces of hands-off approach to white capitalist can put forward his apartheid. parliamentary groupings. or her position, so the UDF Participation in a broad anti- There is no reason why this can claim the right to put for­ apartheid alliance will allow should necessarily compromise ward its views. democrats to deepen and ex­ the opposition of the demo­ tend their hegemony into the cratic movement to the white ruling bloc; expose the coloured and Indian parlia­ Establishing the hegemony political and moral bankruptcy ments. If white democrats of the democratic movement and paralysis of the apartheid were to refuse to work with Working within a broad al­ state; show that the state is re­ parliamentary groupings in the liance will do more than simply sponsible for crisis, violence white community, they would build opposition to apartheid. It and civil war; and demonstrate isolate themselves from the can win the respect of allies by that only the democratic move­ broad grouping in their com­ the strength of organisation, ment has a clear programme munity who oppose apartheid, political maturity, clarity of vi­ for resolving the crisis through and thus weaken opposition to sion, and ability to unify the its programme for non-racial apartheid. forces on the middle ground. If democracy. Democrats working in broad this is achieved, broad support There can be no principled or white politics may have to for a democratic position can theoretical objection to build­ march to a different drum be won even if our allies never ing broad alliances in white from those working in the op­ join us or subscribe to the politics. The utmost strategic pressed communities or in democratic movement's full and tactical flexibility is UDF affiliates. That does not programme. necessary, as long as it advan­ make them unprincipled sell­ The struggle for political ces the overall struggle for the outs or collaborators. Their power is not simply a question end of apartheid, and does not actions are necessary for the of building organisations, re­ compromise the goals or over­ advancement of overall goals cruiting new members, or all strategy of the democratic and strategy. The nature of the engaging in mass action. A movement: strengthening the alliance demands this. critical dimension of the over­ mass movement and weaken­ Within such a broad anti- all struggle is the moral and ing the forces of apartheid. apartheid alliance in the white ideological struggle to estab­

Work In Progreaa 33 LABOUR TRENDS: 20 February-30 March 1988 he labour movement sur^ workers; Transparent Packa­ are those for a 40-hour these basic Issues. Tvived 1967 despite ging - 55 workers; and week, worker holidays on The food, clothing and ongoing setbacks: Intensified Intercity - 50 workers. Police May Day and 16 June, and a paper/wood unions conduct repression, Including the action at Renown and Inter­ more recent demand for a most of their major wage detention of unionists; city resulted in several holiday on 21 March (Sharp- negotiations from mid-year severe losses during the workers being Injured. evitle Day). The CVY1U has to year end. However wage mine strike; the defeat of the Cases of management declared disputes with the negotiations are taking place metal strike Initiative; mass physically assaulting em­ major oil companies - Invol­ on a smaller scale at plant dismissals; the bombing of ployees were reported at ving more than 1 500 level, and examples Include: union offices; and police workers. Shop stewards In Maister Outdoor Marketing and vigilanle harassment Sasco's Bloemfonteln Bakery, where Fawu or­ this industry are meeting to and Ppwawu; Transparent Tbe state's attempts to cur­ ganises, and at Mainline discuss further action, and Packaging and Ppwawu; tail union power are taking Carriers In Wadevllle, where there Is a possibility of oil Actwusa and Berg River Tex- place on a wider scale than TGWU organises. At Terre- company workers conside­ tiles; Actwusa and Mool in the past, and on different blanche, a Vereeniging ring a Joint strike if demands River Textiles; Royal Beech­ levels. It is stepping up its at­ transport company, TGWU are not met. nut and Fawu; UTC and tempts to suppress the members have demanded Ccawusa was in dispute Fawu. liberation movement by In­ that assaults on workers be with Pick 'n Pay and creasing the number of laws stopped. Triangle Furnishers, bringing Parental rights which restrict or re-direct Management continues to the number of retail Industry Unions are beginning to possible oppositional acti­ use lockouts and dismissals workers engaged in dispute make strides In negotiating vities: the proposed Labour In dealing with disputes: loc­ to over 14 000. maternity and paternity Relations Amendment Bill; kouts at Royal Beechnut - In the OK strike of 1986- agreements, an Issue first In­ deregulation and privatisa­ 500 workers, and Transpar­ 87 about 10 000 Ccawusa itiated by Ccawusa In 1983. tion plans; threatened ent Packaging - 55 workers; workers held out for ten Ccawusa recently re­ restrictions on funding; in­ dismissals at Renown Pork weeks, costing the union searched the issue and is creasing restrictions on the Packers -120 workers. Inter­ well over Rl00 000 In strike currently negotiating paren­ media; and the restrictions city - 70 workers, and Protea pay. At present, in the wake tal rights agreements at Pick imposed on organisations. In - 65 workers. of intense Internal disputes 'n Pay, Checkers and EMI. particular Cosatu. which resulted in substantial The main demands in­ These attempts will not Wage negotiations legal costs, Ccawusa seems clude: elimination of necessarily contain general Twenty companies were to be in a weaker financial discrimination based on sex militancy and anger • but reported to be involved in position. and gender; that working they will put heavy demands wage negotiations and Ave Despite this, the union has parents must be able to exer­ on the union movement's of these were completed in made substantial wage and cise their parental organisational strength. the period 20 February to 30 related demands of the OK: responsibilities; that both According to SARS moni­ March. an across-the^oard increase men and women have the toring, 23 095 workers were If Initial management re­ of R300-*-month; R700-a- right to hold a Job, lead a involved in strikes and dis­ sponses to union demands month minimum wage; a normal family life, work putes in the period 20 are anything to go by. It Is 40-hour week; no PAYE; under healthy and sale con­ February to 30 March 1988. possible that some of the holidays on May Day, 16 ditions and give their Unions in the metal, com­ major wage negotiations will June and 21 March; a 13th children the necessary care mercial catering and end in deadlock: the alliance cheque; foil disclosure of fin­ and attention; that since the chemical sectors were in­ of four IMF unions versus ancial statements; 25% staff company profits from wor­ volved in annual wage metal employers' organisa­ discounts; 10% commission kers' labour It should negotiations during this peri­ tion Seifsa (see p 7), and the and a bask salary of R650 contribute directly towards od. Ccawusa-OK Bazaars nego­ for commissioned staff. OK the next generation of wor­ Most affected by strike ac­ tiations being obvious management has thusfar of­ kers. tion was the metal, motor examples. But there are Indi­ fered a R56 across-the-board At present Numsa Is look­ and engineering sector, re­ cations that some unions are monthly increase or a R80 ing at Ccawusa's research, flecting a constant high level questioning the wisdom of monthly increase In two and other unions ve likely of activity by Numsa In par­ large-scale strike action In stages over the next seven to take up the issue. ticular since January this the present context. The months. year. metal wage talks will grve an Workers in the transport Provident funds In general, strikes were indication of the value of sector have focused on The demand for adequate short - averaging between continued union participa­ bread-and-butter issues, housing has gained momen­ two days and a week. Most tion in industrial councils. largely leaving out overtly tum this year. Unions In were over wages and work­ The present repressive cli­ political demands. The almost every sector are In­ ing conditions, while a few mate has not affected the major Issues Identified were volved In research Into involved the dismissal of fel­ content of union demands. wages. Job security and adequate housing schemes low employees. At least The Irving wage demand Is hours of work. Transport for their members. In most seven disputes were referred still very visible, although it workers are paid relatively cases, the finance required to the industrial court and is not being fought for by low wages compared to for housing is being sought another 12 are awaiting con­ quite as many unions as last other sectors and the hours from company provident ciliation board applications- year. This year, most unions of work range from 14 to 17 funds. Police Involvement in have dropped the demand hours a day. In some cases Numsa and Metal Box union matters was reported that PAYE deductions be seven days a week. TGWU have, through- their provi­ In at least three companies: scrapped. Demands which is attempting to consolidate dent fund, employed a Renown Pork Packers - 120 have been carried through workers nationally around researcher to work on a feas-

34 Work in Progrt** ible housing scheme for Company. This agreement is This, the country's largest Metal Box workers. The the first between a South Af­ In the courts ever dismissal settlement. In­ scheme will probably be ftiv rican mine and a union and The industrial court ruling cludes the reinstatement and anced by the provident fund. provides for the recognition In the BTR-Sarmcol case last compensation of 9 500 wor­ Numsa his commissioned of 100 safety stewards year raised the issue of the kers, and at least 16 weeks researchers to examine elected by miners. The validity of using the court to pay for 6 000 who will not housing possibilities at Iscor safety stewards will inspect resolve disputes. The court's be rehired. But differences and Escom. The union has the mines at least once a recent ruling In favour of the between the two parlies over also proposed to Seifsa that month and will participate in union in the dispute be­ the meaning of the word the industry's pension fund accident enquiries. tween Sentrachem and 'pa/, and what benefits this be converted 10 a provident Num hopes to sign similar Sacwu therefore came as term Includes, could lead to fund- agreements at other mines something of a surprise. a new round of arbitration. Num is also researching a soon. The Chamber of The court ordered Sen­ The parties also differed provident fund scheme, and Mines' position is that it will trachem to re-employ all widely on the estimates of is examining the feasibility not negotiate the Issue of dismissed workers who par­ the value of the settlement. of housing schemes for wor­ health and safety, and that ticipated In a strike which Anglo put the figure at R3S- kers and their families. The the Issue should be taken up the court found to be 'legit­ million while Num union is expected 10 draw with Individual mines. imate'. estimated R60vnillion. The up a comprehensive hous­ Sentrachem management Num estimate was based on ing policy soon. Last year, The public sector was also Instructed to abol­ workers' cash earnings plus migrant workers at seven The public sector could be ish wage discrimination on non-monetary benefits: Anglo mines In the Eastern hit by another massive strike the grounds of race by Au­ board, lodging and other Transvaal brought their this year. Potwa fears the gust 1966. This was the first fringe benefits. Anglo calcu­ families to live with them In post and telecommunica­ time wage discrimination lated on the basis of cash the hostels, forcing manage­ tions department will not has been addressed In court earnings. ment to address the Issue of meet the agreement drawn so dearly. migrant labour. up after last year's strike, In two other cases. Natal Labour Relations Bill Ccawusa members have where It was agreed that Die Casting and Marievale, The Implications of the La­ also begun to pressure their post and telecommunication the Industrial court also gave bour Relations Amendment union 10 negotiate alterna­ workers would get equal protection to dismissed legal Bill created the possibility of tive pension and housing pay for equal work by 1 strikers. In the Marievale large-scale demonstrations. schemes. April. Potwa feels the wage case in 1965, the court or­ But so far, reaction has taken In a precedent-setting freeze declared for all civil dered the reinstatement of the form of propaganda, agreement with Robertsons, service workers will make it 413 workers, and in the pamphlets, posters, union Cosatu's Fawu negotiated impossible for the depart­ Natal Die Castings case in discussions, and demonstra­ the first non-contributory ment to fulfil Its promise. 1966 it ordered the reinstate­ tions at individual factories - provident fund in which the Potwa says it will review ment of 110 workers - an particularly those organised employer is the sole con­ the position at the end of issue which was confirmed by CWIU and Numsa. Tak­ tributor. Management and April - and if" the agreement by the supreme court In ing it a step further, workers workers will control and ad­ Is not met there may be a March 1987. belonging to Ppwawu, minister the fund Jointly and strike Bui strike action will Referring to the above Numsa and Fawu organised management's contributions depend largely upon cases. Advocate Edwin mass placard demonstrations to the fund will be back­ whether the state succeeds Cameron states in the publi­ on two occasions involving dated to 1952. Fawu is also in silencing workers through cation Employment taw: close to 2 000 workers in negotiating provident fund the Post Office Service Bill. 'They have not changed the the Industrla area. Nadu Is agreements at ICS and Coca- This bill contains clauses general pattern, which is that apparently concentrating on Cola. which restrict public sector strikers, on the whole, are discussing the bill at shop- Thus unions in many sec­ workers' ability to take in­ given scant sympathy by the floor level. tors are addressing issues of dustrial action. Potwa Industrial courf. He views Union attempts to get em­ housing, provident funds or believes this bill is being all three case as exceptional. ployer assistance In alternative pension funds. rushed through parliament John Brand, the attorney for countering the bill met with Unions see as a most Import­ in an attempt to prevent a Mawu In the Sarmcol case, little success. According to ant factor that workers and strike. is also not very optimistic. Cosatu, employers refused management are equally Workers In SA Transport He said the Sentrachem case to reject the legislation out­ represented on the boards Services apparently face was the last ray of hope be­ right since they had and In the administration of similar legislation In the fore the dark ages'. problems with only certain these funds. SATS Labour Bill. Sarhwu Two major out-of-court set­ clauses. But Fawu did man­ and Potwa are discussing the tlements took place during age to get one employer. Mine tafety agreement issue and looking at the the period reviewed. The Anchor Yeast in Industrla, to The department of mineral possibilities of Joint action. first settlement - between reject the bill outright The and energy effalrs annual re­ All unions In the public Numsa and Iscor arising out company has written to the port for 1966 revealed that and municipal sectors have of a wage strike last year - government to explain Its 706 miners died on South openly refected the public does not fundamentally position. African mines In 1985, and sector wage freeze Curren­ change the situation of the Cosatu's national congress the number of accidents for tly Sarhwu, Nehawu, workers Involved. Iscor's to discuss Its response to the that year totalled 14 620. Samwu and Namda are wage offer remains the same bill has been postponed to 6 There were 800 deaths in meeting to discuss a joint as It offered at the time of the May. Any national or local 1966 and 12 709 accidents. strategy. The NUPSW, a Strike - 34 cents-*n-hour - Cosatu action will be de­ Against this background, Nadu affiliate, also believes but includes improvements cided by delegates to this Num recently made a major unity Is crucial In fighting the in fringe benefits. congress. breakthrough in signing a wage freeze, and Is waiting The second out-of-court health and safety agreement for a response on the wage settlement was between with Phalaborwa Mining freeze from its members. Num and Anglo American.

Work In Progress 35 COMPANY UNION WOtKEftS DATE EVENTS Strikes and Disputes: TRANSVAAL AlbonooOU ^UPSW 55 1&0346 VVorkepj went on suike over unkw> recogn^kw and rmn^ Age Home toUlktolndrv*di^wriowererK4aJtowfd^ Albom instructed tts lawyers to handle the manor. Argus Printing *od vtwasa jooo January 6cV MwaMandtttnvonwjfrEnrirsManguageriew^ The union de­ PuWtshing and Times BAfcM manded a 20% increase Settlement was reached on a 171, rixreasp (of weekly pa-J w>d .tnd 12% ICMMMDIfa increase for Media Lid monthly paid workers CooGrfa Fawu 2100 March M Fawu was negotiating a prov«^t fund agreement with Cor^^oia to replace the ex^»ngpensbn fund. Fawu says the problem wilh the ex isiing pension fund is the lack of consultation wilh workers over the fund's management and investment of their contributions in Rate securities. The provident iund, if agreed upon, will re*rict investment in government securities. Fawu also demanded equal representation on the board cifinrsJecs and dKWWOlfclfpilttt^iflOOlnjHMHIkl(IMfltCftfltftH4 that workers be aHowed to borrow money from the scheme ft* housing purposes; that workers be entitled to a cash refund made up of the member's kill contribution and interest plus a portion of the company's contribution also with Ml interest: >•' a worker H div mHsed ato ten yean i«rv»r^rwrjfsta with ih^ full Interest ftamed by if>e .n>eMmenl and m me event oU p<^rna/K>ni dtsablen^onr the wortef shoufd be pajd Ove years o* earnings- The fund will benefit over 2 300 Fawu members at CooCoU ICS Fawu *1S0 March M Fawu was negotiating a prevalent fund agreement similar to d«or« being negotiated at Coca<^*a interciTy rcwu 70 23 03M Management dismissed 70 workers whom (hey claimed forgeo m*w clock cards. The un*on said worths were told they could come Wadevflle to work late on 21 March and their cards would be clocked r*xrnally, which the supervisor did when workers arrived late. Manage­ ment instituted a disciplinary hearing sparking off a strike. Police were called « and workers were beaten upt Workers were asked to mum to work the next day or face dismissal TGWU and managr^rt*OTt were dryrussirrg the issije Hcor ^umsa "755JS 1003M Iscor and Numsa reached an outslow over wage •Kreases. The workers demanded an Company raniii irKntase because rhey Mt the wcMk in metr depanni^ Nehpn* management agreed to a 7c-an-hour wage increase fa won^ In hal department Mainline Carriers TCWU 100 22-23 03 BJ Workers went on strip after management risked [hem with a final warning for supporting the 21 Mjrch uayaway. TCWU said man­ Wadeville agement assaulted two shop stewards whom theycaMed mto diKuts the issue Th*sh^ agemem Workers relumed to work white TCWU negotiated wrthd rawal of #ie Una! warning. MaHter Outdoor 'pwawu JO0 24.02- Wc^enwem on strike alter a deadlock in wage ne^Aati^ a week, Marketing MttJI pa d holidays on 16 hme. May r^ and 21 Ma^ and e^ Jndustria R24,50 a week and wouid not consider the other demaiA VStorkers returned to woA court interdvet ruling the strfce UlegaJ. Pr^avru daimeri rrv*\agerner< was dearty a^ referred to the National Industrial Council for the Printing and Packaging Industry MoMOtf Cwlu IMMI OAflU declared a depute following a deadlock in neapuatons over wages and working condrtonv The dispute *rvorved workers at South Airica r* 24 deprjfe in the Transvaal and OF§. Workers dr^^ amonthperyta/ryservir^Managernanto the unton's other demands on condition mat me R155 increase was accepted. The union applied for a conciliation board. OK Bazaars Ccawusa 1000 Ccawusa started annual wage neapoations with OK by demanding tn aoosvtheboard increase of R300 a mor*, to raise the mint- toMS.eo- mum wage rh>mR4X)0 to R7GU Other d^^ convn^stcM^sufT^tarfdHcountstobedcHJbled^Mi l 2^ to 25V a l Jih cheque, a 4d^ur wwt. rv.^ PAYE doduaioni. NUy IJay, lfcluneand 21 Mardi lo be paid rommoirxvdino daw and Ml disdosureof finaiK^I ^Ulcn>en^ Jhe company a^rec^J l^ ne^li.ae •- * the following after the wage agreement has been reached: housing scheme, parental rights agreement, education bursaries, ahernatrve person scheme, amendments to recognition agreement, ftajvKe benffts and corner*ion w Pick'n by ' LOWUU 17155 01JMJ8 Ccawusa dedartd a dHpute following a deadlock in wage rsegotiauom The union demand at deadlock was an acrosvahfrboard wage inaeosec/RliS a mc>nch against managers increase. Trie unions r*vhed demands mdu*d: (^ counts and a Rl stop order deduction from member^ wages to be forwarded to th« tre«u^ Dnpute meetings bgfwecen management and the u n on wen? in progress. COMPANY U^IQ* wOftKEH OATt EVENTS mvufom Fawu 300 Ro6«IOft* Spice CO*npjny And F*wu have negotiated A rtOn- gassed* Nine workers were arrested And omen s*n4A«ied miurie*. FAWU MM me detention o/ me nine workers (bier chAnjed wi* meW who held key pos*^ put MAfugement blamed me **owoutput on workers Andobtained A court interdklordering workers to stop me go-slow In two houn orfacedHrrmsaJ^ Tr>ernawrwa5refe^ to mediation Serttracnem S*twu 3000 |24.02U The irvJustruJ court has nied met WAge disormsination H An unfair labour practice And ordered the offending company, Serwrachem, to H^truwrwd^oarties between worter^ who were arong 3 OX>0 on suile in May 196^ These wort H me brk^infofa wage gap between WAT* An^ merit to those who returned dant because of restructuring of operations in the company In Us evidence the company claimed it would cost R4-mcr^bvedbya/sfjtherft50rromjdy 19g7 to|une 1WC and a 10% bonus for each year crfservkre to A maximum of 50%. Vr'frEngmeering NlKIHJ 24 O3.03« About 24 workers at VFP Engineering went on strike after management changed the conditions of work erf a shop steward. Manage­ Genrtftton ment put (he worker on short time io work four hours a day The shop steward ignored the short time and continued working, buirnarv jgement asked him to stop work and go home. The workers stopped work and demanded to know why me shop steward was grven short lime- Management dismissed the w«n^ when mey retun^ to wo^ pany and a meeting WAS Arranged in the industrial council. Volkswagen NumM 120 11.03.ee Workers AI Volkswagen staged a twonour stoppage m protest Against the dfemtsul of a white Numsa member* According ID me Gemvlston union, me worker was drsmrssed because he look some bricks mat were lyi« on me pavement o^ drsca^ded. Th« oompany said me wotlcer, bein^ me issue. Strike! and dbputcs: NATAL Mobil Refining ^MU 450 r4.02.ee- CWIU dedanad two dfcputj* w» MoM ^^ Company me union in wage negotiations and me second following A deadkxk n national wage neyotiaiftom. The union demanded a monthly increase of R200 aooss me board and a minimum of WlOamonm for rts memben at 24 depots The company o whaA me wemken n^ected, saying Ihev r^NjId making any serious attempts io reduce the sa4ary-gap that e*Htt between itself, Shefl and Caliex. The mmhnum monmly wage at Shell rs R790 and R735 at Mr>6J. CVVIU ma nrh.frd The wortcrs were drvmrsseddunngth* miners strike lay yfa/ * Shortly jte the Setdenx*rHdrfferr««am^ dW to cost RJ*m, while Num estimated R60m The unton believed that financial setrJements should be based on workers cash earnings plus norvanrjneta^ beyset^ round of arbitration. Phalaborwa Mining ^um JOTO 0.02.66 4um and fSKstgned the counrjy*snna ever h^ Company the recogn it ion erf about 100 safety stewards who w« to rexewe time off for training by m cally elected safety stewards would represent worker Interests in the field of health tod safety. The agreement makes It possible for safely stewards to inspect tSe working conditions at least once a month and parttdpaie fully in any aeddent enquiries. Num hailed the agreement as a bn?*kth*x^ PMC is not a member of the Chamber of Mints* SUBSCRIPTION RATES Rates are for six issues of Work In Progress South and Southern Africa (surface mail) Individuals, trade unions and community organisations R15 Companies, libraries and institutions R33 Donor subscriptions R25 •There are special rates for group and bulk distribution. Please contact SARS for details USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia (air mail rate only) Unemployed, students R50 Individuals R60 Companies, libraries and institutions R75 Donor subscriptions R70 United Kingdom and Western Europe (air mall rate only) Unemployed, students £8 Individuals £10 Companies, libraries and institutions £15 Donor subscriptions £12 Please return subscriptions for SOUTH and SOUTHERN AFRICA, USA, CANADA, NEW ZEALAND and AUSTRALIA to: Southern African Research Service PO Box 32716, Braamfontein 2017 South Africa Telephone: (011)403-1912 Cheques should be crossed, and made payable to: Southern African Research Service Please return subscriptions for the UNITED KINGDOM and WESTERN EUROPE to: Southern African Research Service c/o D Bellamy 56 Bonnington Square, Vauxhall, London SW8 ITF ENGLAND Cheques should be crossed, and payable in sterling to D Bellamy •Please enclose payment with order •Subscriptions begin with current issue unless otherwise specified

Enclosed find payment of for six issues of Work In Progress

NAME:

ADDRESS:.. Fencing off the conflict in KTC: page 15

Contents Editorial... A high price for freedom: Militarisation and Building on the white South Africa Freedom Charter...... 3 Apartheid death squads: Metal wage talks: Politics with a price More than wages at stake on its head

Youth politics: Resistance politics: Learning to live in Winning white support the shadows .11 for democracy

Clashes in KTC: Labour trends Fencing off the conflict Strikes and disputes...

Metal workers in tough wage talks: page 7

The nature of Work In Progress, which is to stimulate debate and present views on a wide range of issues, ensures that the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editorial collective. Work In Progress, a publication of the Southern African Research Service, is published by an editorial collective, 37 Jorissen Street, Braamfontein. PO Box 32716 Braamfontein 2017. Tel: (011) 403-1912/1586