Mandela Threatens Retaliation as Right-Wing Sabotage Continues

Strategic Insights -

Nelson Mandela, president of the African National Congress, has threatened retaliation against right-wing saboteurs who have been targeting ANC offices and properties. The attacks, which have been ongoing since the beginning of the year, have resulted in police failures to make any arrests. Mandela's statement came as a wave of bomb blasts hit ANC and trade union offices in the western Transvaal and Orange Free State.

At a campaign rally for the April 27 elections, Mandela said that if the ANC retaliates, it will not be a "limited type of violence." He also indicated that attitudes within the ANC were hardening and that it was becoming increasingly difficult for the leadership to restrain demands for a firm response. This hardening stance within the ANC has been fueled by the failure of the police to make any arrests and the ongoing attacks by right-wing groups.

Key Takeaways:

  • Mandela has threatened retaliation against right-wing saboteurs who have been targeting ANC offices and properties.
  • The attacks, which have been ongoing since the beginning of the year, have resulted in police failures to make any arrests.
  • A wave of bomb blasts has hit ANC and trade union offices in the western Transvaal and Orange Free State.
  • Mandela's statement came as a campaign rally for the April 27 elections.
  • Attitudes within the ANC are hardening, making it increasingly difficult for the leadership to restrain demands for a firm response.
  • Mandela has criticized President de Klerk for not taking action against right-wing attacks.
  • Intelligence sources have revealed that right-wing saboteurs are adopting IRA tactics, operating alone or in pairs, and using home-made explosives and dynamite stolen from gold mines.
  • The leader of the neo-Fascist Afrikaner Resistence Movement, Eugene Terre'Blanche, has called for "total war" if Mandela does not accommodate their demands for an independent Afrikaner state.

Statistics:

  • 6 attacks on ANC and trade union property last week
  • 3,500 volunteers in the National Peacekeeping Force
  • 600 MK members reportedly rampaged through the training camp, chanting "one settler, one bullet" and threatening to kill white soldiers and policemen.
  • £150,000 (approximately R3,750,000) allocated to the National Peacekeeping Force.
  • 90% of the volunteers in the National Peacekeeping Force are from the ANC.

Sources:

  • The Times
  • Afrikaner Volksfront
  • ANC
  • National Party