South African Leaders Unite Against Gun-Running Allegations Ahead of All-Race Election

Strategic Insights -

In a developing crisis on the eve of South Africa's first all-race election, senior police officers have closed ranks around three top generals accused of supplying guns to the Inkatha Freedom Party, a foe of the African National Congress (ANC). The generals, including former Police Commissioner General Jannie Geldenhuys, have denied the allegations and are planning a libel action against the commission. Amidst rising violence and intimidation, President F.W. de Klerk and ANC leader Nelson Mandela will meet today to discuss ways to curb the unrest.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Goldstone Commission's report has been described as biased and untested by General Jannie Geldenhuys, a former Police Commissioner, who is planning a libel action against the commission.
  • The three police generals linked to the alleged gun-running, including General Geldenhuys, have denied any wrongdoing and are seeking to clear their names.
  • Inkatha's central committee has dismissed the commission's report as a "dirty tricks" attempt to discredit the party, and is calling on President de Klerk to clarify the lack of evidence supporting the allegations.
  • President de Klerk has appointed a special task force of international police officers to investigate the allegations, with the support of ANC leader Nelson Mandela.
  • The meeting between President de Klerk and Mr. Mandela today is aimed at addressing the growing violence and intimidation ahead of the all-race election.
  • In separate incidents, ANC leader Nelson Mandela received a hostile reception from National Party supporters during a visit to Coloured areas outside Cape Town, and nine people were wounded in clashes between ANC and Inkatha supporters in a township near Durban.

Statistics:

  • 1,500 Inkatha supporters, many armed with AK47 assault rifles, took over a soccer stadium in a township near Durban, dressed in military-style uniforms (The Times, 1994).
  • ANC leader Nelson Mandela received a hostile reception from National Party supporters during a visit to Coloured areas outside Cape Town, with his motorcade being stoned (The Times, 1994).
  • 9 people were wounded in clashes between ANC and Inkatha supporters in a township near Durban (The Times, 1994).
  • Police erected razor-wire barriers to keep the two sides apart in a township near Durban (The Times, 1994).

Sources:

  • (C) The Times, 1994
  • The Times (newspaper)
  • The Goldstone Commission