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Document 45. Statement on the Durban Riots, by the Working Committee of the ANC, signed by Dr. A.B. Xuma, January 20, 1949

The Working Committee of the African National Congress wishes to express the appreciation of the President General Dr. A.B. Xuma for his timely visit to Durban during the riots, and for his co-operation and consultations with African leaders in Natal in their efforts to bring the race riots between Indians and Africans to an end.

While deeply deploring the wanton destruction of life and property during the rioting, and the further loss of life caused by the use of firearms by the police, naval and/or military units in their intervention, the Working Committee wishes to point out and to emphasise that notwithstanding the incident of the assault of an African youth by some Indian, the Union policy of differential and discriminatory treatment of various racial groups is the fundamental contributing cause of racial friction and antagonisms. It has rendered the African the football and servant of all which he silently resents. It has given him an accumulation of grievances and a sense of frustration which find expression in unpredictable actions of violence or otherwise, to which no section is immune. Violence is the law of the jungle; it solves nothing; it arouses tempers and suspicions; it breeds hatred.

The Working Committee therefore urges all to avoid violence as far as possible, and to endeavour to find other more humane methods for the solution of the various problems.

The Durban situation, in the opinion of this Committee, is a grave challenge to the Union Government, with its racial and colour policy, to take immediate steps to review the differential and discriminatory policy in consultation with leaders of the non-European communities.

In view of the prevailing tension the Working Committee appeals to the African people not to allow themselves to be involved in actions similar to those which occurred recently in Durban, or to be used by other people who desire to further their own political ends at the expense of the African by fostering race hatred. At this stage the Working Committee appeals to the leaders of the Indian community to restrain their own people from doing anything that may lead to similar incidents and clashes between the two communities. Further the Working Committee is of opinion that the situation demands a round-table conference of African and Indian leaders including representatives of Indian commercial groups.

Finally the Working Committee would like to make it clear to all concerned that Africans claim themselves to be entitled by right of birth to receive their full share of all the rewards, the benefits and the opportunities for advancement which the Union of South Africa offers.

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