/' / 198 Broadway • New York, N.Y. 10038 • (212) 962·1210 M William Howard, President Elizabeth Landis, Vice President Jennifer Davis, Executive Director

October 22, 1990

Dear Friend of ACOA:

My childhood home town, Sebokeng, has become a killing field in South Africa. The media dismisses this as simply "Black on Black violence." It is as if it is the most natural thing in the world fop Black peop~e to k4ll one another-.--

But the reports ~ have received from South Africa tell ~ very different story:

Nelson Mandela presented South African President F.W. de Klerk with affidavits documenting police collusion in the massacres.

Archbishop has stated his belief that much of the killing is being carried out by current or former members of South African police death squads.

The South African Human Rights Commission has compiled evidence that a great many of the victims of the violence were actually killed by the police and military.

Labor and religious leaders have told us that the police have escorted Inkatha vigilantes into to attack ANC supporters.

South African Supreme Court Judge Richard Goldstone ruled tha-t-the p&-H.-ce and m4;-l4-ta-py---had "used-u-an-eees-5ary-f"o-rce" and­ showed "a complete lack of discipline" when they attacked people in Sebokeng.

The longer these killings go on, the more I am reminded of RENAMO in Mozambique. As soon as independence -was won, South Africa armed and financed this mercenary force to create chaos and terror.

It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that in my home town today, something similar has already begun. Certainly the only winners in all this violence are the people who want to keep in place. And once again, it is Black people who are suffering and dying.

Today I no longer live in Sebokeng. Thirteen years ago the police literally ran me out of my country and into exile in the United States.

Supporting Africanfreedom and independence since 1953 • Established The Africa Fund. 1966 But I still ~ too much to be silent while the killings continue, whether in Sebokeng, Soweto or anywhere else. I can't accept the media's description of "Black on Black violence," with its assumption that these are murders which are tolerable and even expected to happen.

I am determined to do whatever I can to get the truth about . what is happening in South Africa to people in America.

That is why I am with ACOA. We have been almost alone in exposing this myth of "Black on Black violence."

~When South African President de Klerk went to Washington D.C., we faxed Senator Edward Kennedy affidavits from South Africa so that he could challenge de Klerk's claim that he is just trying to keep Black people from killing each other.

~ Every day we talk to dozens of ministers, rabbis, public ( . officials and community leaders, explaining that it is a desperate attempt to keep minority rule intact.

~ We are sending out fact sheets and alerts to the network of concerned people throughout the country who have worked for sanctions and divestment. We can do all this only because you care enough to contribute. I hope we can count on your generosity again at this critical time. Thank you.

_ Kum~lO Projects D~rector /