| 1990 |
|
|
|
Nelson Mandela is released from
prison. |
|
| 1990 |
|
|
|
27 townships declared unrest areas
in terms of the Public Safety Act No 3 of 1953. |
|
| 1990 |
|
|
|
Gazankulu: Immorality and Prohibition
of Mixed Marriages Amendment Act No 6:
Commenced: 25 March 1991
|
|
| 1990 |
|
|
|
QwaQwa: Immorality and Prohibition
of Mixed Marriages Amendment Act No 6:
Commenced: 4 March 1988
|
|
| 1990 |
|
|
|
Commission of Inquiry into the
Death of Clayton Sizwe Sithole Mandate: To investigate the circumstances
surrounding the death in detention of Clayton Sizwe Sithole on 30 January
1990.
Date of Report: 20 February 1990
Chair: GOLDSTONE, R.J.
Ref: S297/143 (E)
|
|
| 1990 |
|
|
|
Commission of Inquiry into Certain
Alleged Murders Mandate: To inquire into and to report on certain alleged
murders and other unlawful acts of violence committed in the Republic of
South Africa (including self-governing territories). If such murders and
acts of violence are found to have occurred, to investigate what bodies
and organisations were responsible for these acts. The mandate was extended
to include an investigation into and report on the allegation that one Anton
Lubowski was a paid agent of the SADF: Military Intelligence Section.
Date of Report: September 1990
Chair: HARMSE, L.T.C.
Ref: RP 108-90 (A); RP 109-90 (E); S297/151 (A); S297/152 (E).
|
|
| 1990 |
|
|
|
Commission of Inquiry into the
Salvage on the ‘An Hung No. 1’ and Related Matters
Mandate: To investigate and report on the effectiveness of existing measures
and their application with regard to the salvage of the stranded fish trawler ‘An Hung No. 1’ and its cargo, and to make recommendations accordingly.
Date of Report: 2 October 1990
Chair: DE BEER, J.
Ref: RP 104/1990
|
|
| 1990 |
|
|
|
South African Democratic Teachers
Union (SADTU) is formed.
The government puts forward the 'Clase Models', which set out the conditions
under which white state schools can admit black students. |
|
| 1990 |
|
|
|
Patricia De Lille appointed foreign
secretary and relief and aid secretary of PAC.
Lindiwe Sisulu returns to South Africa and begins works as personal assistant
to Dr Jacob Zuma.
Ruth Mompati is part of a delegation that opens talks with South African
Government
Baleka Kgositsile returns to South Africa,after which she is elected Secretary
General at first national conference of ANC Women’s League.
Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi returns from exile at request of CPSA. She resumes
work as personal assistant to Joe Slovo and Chris Hani.
Barbara Hogan released from prison.
Gill Marcus returns from exile, and takes up post in ANC’s Department of
Information and Publicity. |
|
| 1990 |
January |
|
|
Eight veteran ANC leaders, together
with the leader of the Mass Democratic Movement (MDM) and the Congress of
South African Trade Unions (COSATU) meet the external hiearchy of the ANC
in Lusaka. |
|
| 1990 |
15 January |
|
|
Accedes to the Montreal Protocol
on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. |
|
| 1990 |
25 January |
|
|
Extracts of a document written
by Nelson Mandela in anticipation of a meeting with President P.W. Botha
in the beginning of 1989, is published by a Cape Town newspaper. |
|
| 1990 |
February |
|
|
The regime is forced to remove
the ban on the ANC and other organisations. |
|
| 1990 |
2 February |
|
|
President F. W. de Klerk made
a speech at the opening of Parliament, announcing among other measures,
the lifting of a 30-year ban on the ANC, the PAC and other anti-apartheid
organisations, the suspension of the death sentence until further review,
the release of some political prisoners and the partial lifting of restrictions
on the media and on some detainees. |
|
| 1990 |
5 February |
|
|
The extreme right has reacted
with anger to the reforms by Mr. de Klerk. One black was killed in the town
of Klerksdorp and the United Kingdom Embassy in Pretoria was attacked.
|
|
| 1990 |
11 February |
|
|
Nelson Mandela, leader of the
ANC, freed after twenty-seven years in jail. |
|
| 1990 |
21 February |
|
|
The Star newspaper reported that
Defence Minister, Magnus A. Malan, knew as early as 1987 of a secret "hit
squad" made up of police officers which was used to kill opponents of apartheid.
The allegations pose a growing embarrassment to Mr. de Klerk, who faces
demands for the dismissal of the Defence Minister. In a related development,
the activities of the Civil Cooperation Bureau, the military unit involved
in the assassinations, were suspended pending the outcome of a judicial
inquiry. The Minister also revealed that Anton Lubowski, the SWAPO white
official killed by assassins in Windhoek last September, was an agent of
the South African Defence Force.
|
|
| 1990 |
24 February |
|
|
More than 100,000 persons attended
a rally in Durban addressed by Nelson Mandela, who urged his followers to
end the factional warfare that has taken more than 2,500 lives in the last
five years in the Natal region.
|
|
| 1990 |
27 February |
|
|
Nelson Mandela meets ANC officials
in Lusaka. |
|
| 1990 |
March |
|
|
Violence erupts in South Africa’s
‘homelands’. Ciskei falls in a military coup. |
|
| 1990 |
2 March |
|
|
The African National Congress
(ANC) elected Nelson Mandela as Deputy President of the organisation. it
also announced its decision to move its headquarters from Lusaka to Johannesburg
as soon as possible. |
|
| 1990 |
4 March |
|
|
Several hundred political prisoners
began a hunger strike at Robben Island, the country's highest-security
prison, to demand that President de Klerk release them under a general amnesty.
Military officers headed by Brig. Oupa Gqozo overthrew the leader of the "independent homeland" of Ciskei, Lennox L. Sebe, while he was in Hong
Kong. Brig. Gqozo and three other officers have formed and executive committee
to run the administration with civilian help, "until a society based on
democratic principles can be established". South African authorities sent
troops, at the request of Brig. Gqozo, to restore order.
|
|
| 1990 |
5 March |
|
|
According to US Business in South
Africa 1990, published by the Investor Responsibility Research Centre (IRRC),
despite the fact that 201 USA companies have disinvested from South Africa
since 1 January 1984, 123 remain there together with 177 from the UK and
142 from the FRG.
|
|
| 1990 |
10 March |
|
|
Proclamation No 4:
Gave the President power to make emergency regulations and to govern the
state of emergency which had been declared in some districts under Proclamation
3 of 1990.
Commenced: 10 March 1990
|
|
| 1990 |
14 March |
|
|
In an exclusive interview with "The Herald", the ANC military commander Joe Modise, stated that the organisation
could consider the suspension of the armed struggle but not the laying down
of arms, to facilitate negotiations. |
|
| 1990 |
15 March |
|
|
Major cabinet portfolio changes
are made to co-ordinate economic policy and constitutional negotiations. |
|
| 1990 |
16 March |
|
|
It was announced that talks between
Government officials and an ANC delegation led by Nelson Mandela would open
in Cape Town on 11 April. The talks are intended to discuss obstacles to
the process of negotiations. |
|
| 1990 |
20 March |
|
|
Independence of Namibia. |
|
| 1990 |
20 March |
|
|
After 75 years under South African
control, Namibia became independent and Mr. Sam Nujoma, leader of the South
West Africa People's Organisation, was sworn in as the country's first
President by the United Nations' Secretary-General, Mr. Javier Perez de
Cuellar. |
|
| 1990 |
22 March |
|
|
After a meeting in Cape Town with
President de Klerk, the Secretary of State James Baker 3rd said Mr. de Klerk
had told him that his Government was engaged in an "irreversible process
that we (the South African Government) will follow to its logical conclusion."
Authorities ordered an inquiry into the funding of the Civil Co-operation
Bureau, a secret military unit, accused of political assassinations.
|
|
| 1990 |
26 March |
|
|
Police opened fire on anti-apartheid
protesters in the township of Sebokeng, near Johannesburg, killing at least
14 people and wounding more than 380. The protest was organised against
high rents and racially segregated local facilities.
Mr. Piet Clase, Minister of Education for whites, announced that the regime
had decided to abandon the principle of segregated state education. From
January 1991, white state schools will be allowed to accept black children,
provided that a majority of the parents of such schools give their consent.
|
|
| 1990 |
28 March |
|
|
Six black political prisoners
who would have been freed at the end of the year have been released from
Robben Island prison, increasing to 22 the number of prisoners released
since the end of the 11-day hunger strike at that prison.
|
|
| 1990 |
31 March |
|
|
The ANC decides not to hold talks
with the South African government scheduled for 11 April, due to the killing
of defenceless demonstrators in Sebokeng. Meeting between Nelson Mandela
and Chief Buthelezi of the Inkatha Freedom Party, is also called off. |
|
| 1990 |
31 March |
|
|
The ANC announced that it was
suspending plans to attend the scheduled talks with the Government in protest
against the shooting by the police of demonstrators in the township of Sebokeng. |
|
| 1990 |
1 April |
|
|
KwaNdebele: Traditional Authorities
Amendment Act No 7:
Commenced: 1 April 1990
|
|
| 1990 |
4 April |
|
|
Signs bilateral monetary agreement
with the government of Namibia. |
|
| 1990 |
5 April |
|
|
The Venda homeland falls in a
military coup. |
|
| 1990 |
5 April |
|
|
At an informal meeting in Cape
Town, President F.W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela agreed to reschedule formal
talks between the Government and the African National Congress (ANC). The
talks will be held from 2 to 4 May.
A military coup d'etat took place in the "independent homeland" of Venda.
The coup, apparently bloodless, was the second in five weeks after the one
in Ciskei. Coup leader Colonel Gabriel Ramushwana announced that he would
manage the area's affairs until it is re-incorporated into South Africa.
|
|
| 1990 |
6 April |
|
|
Signs agreement with Togo regarding
wildlife management in the Keran National Park. |
|
| 1990 |
9 April |
|
|
South Africa:Signs memorandum
of understanding amending the Customs Union Agreement of 1969.
|
|
| 1990 |
14 April |
|
|
Nelson Mandela admitted that members
of the ANC had tortured dissident guerillas, but said the officials involved
had been punished and any further torture had been banned. |
|
| 1990 |
18 April |
|
|
In a parliamentary speech, President
de Klerk rules out any possibility of black majority rule. |
|
| 1990 |
18 April |
|
|
F.W. de Klerk announced the establishment
of a Commission of Inquiry, led by Justice Richard Goldstone, into the police
killing of 17 peaceful demonstrators at the township of Sebokeng.
|
|
| 1990 |
20 April |
|
|
Stating that the arms would be
used in a white "counter-revolution", members of a far-right group stole
from Air Force Headquarters in Pretoria a small arsenal, including machine-guns
and R-1 and R-4 rifles.
|
|
| 1990 |
25 April |
|
|
Testifying before the Harms Commission,
which was taking testimony at the South African Embassy in London, former
police captain Dirk Coetzee, now a member of the ANC, said that he oversaw
the 1981 killing by the secret police of black activist Sizwe Kindile and
of the human rights lawyer Griffiths Mxenge. |
|
| 1990 |
27 April |
|
|
Senior ANC leaders such as Joe
Slovo, Thabo Mbeki and others, return to South African after a quarter of
a century in exile. |
|
| 1990 |
May |
|
|
Government admits to failure of
its ‘homeland’ policy and that those
‘homelands’ will be reintegrated into South Africa.
|
|
| 1990 |
May |
|
|
ANC launched a national membership
drive, with membership fee of 12 rand a year. |
|
| 1990 |
2 May - 4 May |
|
|
The Groote Schuur talks take place
between the South African government and the ANC. They reach agreement on
conditions for full-scale negotiations on ending political conflict in South
Africa. |
|
| 1990 |
2 May - 4 May |
|
|
The South African Government and
the ANC held their first preliminary talks with both sides expressing hopes
for peace and for an end to apartheid. |
|
| 1990 |
4 May |
|
|
At the end of their talks, the
ANC and the South African Government issued a joint statement, entitled "the Groote Shuur Minute", according to which a working group was established
to address the issue of the release of political prisoners. The Group was
scheduled to complete its work before 21 May. In addition, temporary immunity
from prosecution would be considered for selected members of the ANC and
the Government would seek to modify its security legislation to adapt it
to the new situation developing in South Africa, and it would work towards
the lifting of the state of emergency. Both parties pledged once again to
try and put an end to the "existing climate of violence and intimidation"
and reiterated their "commitment to stability and to a peaceful process
of negotiations". Efficient channels of communication would be established
between the Government and the ANC. |
|
| 1990 |
6 May |
|
|
P.W. Botha resigns from the National
Party in protest against President F.W. de Klerk’s reform proposals. |
|
| 1990 |
7 May |
|
|
The Indemnity Bill of 1990, which
allows exiles to be granted temporary immunity or permanent indemnity against
arrest or prosecution, was passed by 105 votes to 33 at a joint-sitting
of the South African Parliament. Only the Conservative Party opposed it. |
|
| 1990 |
8 May |
|
|
President F.W. de Klerk tours
nine European countries. |
|
| 1990 |
9 May |
|
|
Nelson Mandela begins a six-nation
African tour. |
|
| 1990 |
16 May |
|
|
Government officials announced
plans to abolish racial segregation in state hospitals. Some state-funded
hospitals are reserved for whites only while others are divided into sections
for blacks and whites. A small percentage are integrated. Most of the white
population will feel little immediate effect from the measure as almost
90 per cent of them use private hospitals and clinics which are generally
too expensive for blacks.
|
|
| 1990 |
17 May |
|
|
An Anti-Apartheid Movement Rally
was held in London in protest against the visit to the United Kingdom of
President de Klerk. Among the speakers at the rally were Lt. Gregory Rockman,
the former officer of the South African Police, who was dismissed after
speaking out against the brutality of the apartheid security forces. Lt.
Rockman is now the National President of the Police and Prisons Civil Rights
Unions, which organises black policemen and prison wardens.
|
|
| 1990 |
18 May |
|
|
South Africa:Signs agreement with
Namibia concerning the appointment of representatives and privileges and
immunities for representatives and their staff. |
|
| 1990 |
18 May |
|
|
Five prison guards declared that
they would continue their sit-in at the Embassy of the Federal Republic
of Germany until more than 600 colleagues were reinstated. The five are
among 650 prison guards who were suspended without pay in March after they
joined the "illegal" Police and Prison Civil Rights Union. Justice Minister
Kobie Coetsee announced that 400 of the guards could resume work, but that
the prison service would continue to bar unionisation in the police force.
|
|
| 1990 |
18 May |
|
|
Indemnity Act No 35:
Granted temporary or permanent indemnity against prosecutions for exiles
returning to South Africa.
Commenced: 18 May 1990
Repealed by s 48 of the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act
No 34 of 1995.
|
|
| 1990 |
21 May |
|
|
The Government's Custom and Excise
office announced that South Africa's trade surplus widened to R969 million
in April from R872 million a year earlier.
The Government and the ANC received the report on procedures for releasing
political prisoners which were drafted by the joint working group set up
at Groote Schuur. There were indications that the report included a plan
to grant amnesty for all political prisoners and exiles. The working group
will now turn to other issues, including the repatriation of 22,000 exiled
ANC members.
|
|
| 1990 |
2 June |
|
|
ANC Deputy President Mr. Nelson
Mandela and State President F.W. de Klerk held discussions in Pretoria on
the progress which has been made in the implementation of the Groote Schuur
Minute and on the need to use effective mechanisms to reduce the level of
police violence in the country.
|
|
| 1990 |
4 June |
|
|
Nelson Mandela leaves South Africa
for a thirteen-nation international tour. |
|
| 1990 |
5 June |
|
|
The Chairman of the Venda Council
for National Unity, Colonel Gabriel Ramushwana, announced the lifting of
the state of emergency and the unconditional release of all political prisoners
in Venda. |
|
| 1990 |
6 June |
|
|
Police detained three whites for
questioning in connection with a hand grenade attack on 24 May against the
Melrose House Museum near Pretoria. One of the three is said to be a member
of the Afrikaner Resistance Movement. Police was still seeking right- wing
extremist Piet "Skiet" (Shoot) Rudolph who claimed responsibility for
the attack and who warned the media that this was the first step in a white
backlash against President de Klerk's reforms. |
|
| 1990 |
7 June |
|
|
In a statement to a joint session
of Parliament, President F. W. de Klerk, announced that the four-year old
state of emergency would be lifted at midnight on 8 June in three of South
Africa's four provinces, with the exception of Natal and the homeland of
Kwazulu. The security forces would be expanded in Natal, he said, "to maintain
order and stability". He also announced the release of 48 political prisoners. |
|
| 1990 |
8 June |
|
|
National State of Emergency is
to be lifted with the exception of Natal. |
|
| 1990 |
8 June |
|
|
Countrywide state of emergency
lifted; partial emergency declared in Natal. Wide-ranging powers of arrest
and detention remain in place.
|
|
| 1990 |
9 June - 19 June |
|
|
A United Nations team, led by
Mr. Abdulrahim A. Farah, Under-Secretary-General, visited South Africa to
meet representatives of the Government, political parties and organisations
to gather factual information on recent measures taken and proposals made
for bringing about an end to the apartheid system. [The text of its report
was annexed to the first report of the Secretary-General on progress made
in the implementation of the Declaration on Apartheid and its Destructive
Consequences in Southern Africa, A/44/960.]
|
|
| 1990 |
19 June |
|
|
South Africa:Signs trade agreement
with the government of the Republic of Malawi. |
|
| 1990 |
19 June |
|
|
Mr. Farah stressed, at a press
conference in Pretoria, the need for a series of confidence-building measures
that could reduce the political violence and increase the level of trust
and understanding among all parties and between the people and the Government.
|
|
| 1990 |
19 June |
|
|
Upon the departure of the United
Nations team from South Africa, Under-Secretary-General, Abdulrahim Farah,
at a press conference in Pretoria, said that the important policy initiatives
announced by President de Klerk were warmly welcomed by all the organisations
that met with the team. Stating the concern of many in South Africa over
the alarming degree of violence in parts of the country, he expressed the
need for a series of confidence building measures that could reduce the
political violence and increase the level of trust and understanding among
all parties and between the people and the Government. He reiterated the
United Nations support for an end to the apartheid system through negotiations.
|
|
| 1990 |
20 June |
|
|
Second Public Security Amendment,
Decree No 10:
Prohibited any demonstration or gathering of people without the written
consent of the magistrate of that district.
Commenced: 20 June 1990
|
|
| 1990 |
22 June |
|
|
Offices of the Minister of National
(Black) Education, Stoffel van der Merwe, and that of Deputy Consitutional
Development Minister, Rolf Meyer, are bombed by white far-right wing members.
|
|
| 1990 |
22 June |
|
|
Nelson Mandela addressed the Special
Committee against Apartheid in New York, saying that nothing which had happened
in South Africa called for a revision of the position that the Organisation
had taken in its struggle against apartheid. He urged the United Nations
to do everything in its power to maintain the consensus it had achieved
when it adopted the Declaration on Apartheid in December 1989. |
|
| 1990 |
22 June |
|
|
Nelson Mandela addressed the United
Nations Special Committee against Apartheid in New York, saying that nothing
which had happened in South Africa called for a revision of the position
that the Organisation had taken in its struggle against apartheid. He urged
the United Nations to do everything in its power to maintain the consensus
it had achieved when it adopted the Declaration on Apartheid and its Destructive
Consequences in Southern Africa in December 1989.
|
|
| 1990 |
2 July |
|
|
A week long labour stayaway, organized
by the ANC and its allies, begins in protest against factional black violence
in Natal. |
|
| 1990 |
2 July |
|
|
According to a press statement
released by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and the
United Democratic Front (UDF), about three million workers stayed away from
their job for one day following a call made by COSATU, UDF and the African
National Congress (ANC) for a week of action to pressure the Government
into ending the violence in Natal.
|
|
| 1990 |
6 July |
|
|
The right wing bomb campaign continues
when a powerful bomb explodes in Johannesburg, injuring twenty-seven people. |
|
| 1990 |
6 July |
|
|
The ANC condemned the "tolerant
attitude the South African authorities have adopted to the violent activities
of far-right and fascist groups" after a bomb exploded in a Johannesburg
bus and taxi terminal, wounding more than 25 persons. An extreme-right group
called "the White Wolves" claimed responsibility for five other bombings
carried out during the previous days, including one against a liberal politician
and another one against a synagogue. |
|
| 1990 |
8 July |
|
|
Thousands of Alexandra townships
residents attended the funeral of activist Meshack Kunene. He was killed
by security police on 30 June during a welcome rally for the ANC Secretary-General,
Mr. Alfred Nzo. |
|
| 1990 |
14 July |
|
|
Chief Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi,
leader of the Zulu Inkatha Movement, announced the transformation of the
Movement into a multiracial political party.
|
|
| 1990 |
16 July |
|
|
The ANC sent a report on police
violence to President F. W. de Klerk and demanded an end to "the shocking
inhumanity" of police action in rural areas. The report is based on about
50 statements to lawyers by victims of police action in the farming towns
of Ashton, Montague and Roberston. ANC leader Walter Sisulu had already
accused the Government of failing to restrain the police after young activist
Meshack Kunene was shot to death on June 30 in the Alexandra township. |
|
| 1990 |
22 July |
|
|
According to South African press
reports, based on leaks from the security forces, up to 40 members and officials
of the ANC's military wing, Umkhonto We Sizwe (Spear of the Nation), were
recently captured while infiltrating South Africa from bases in exile. |
|
| 1990 |
24 July |
|
|
The Special Committee against
Apartheid issued a statement concerning the Report of the Secretary-General
on the Progress made in the Implementation of the Declaration on Apartheid
and Its Destructive Consequences in Southern Africa. It agreed with the
Secretary-General's observation that although the process of change in
South Africa had started, it was still at a preliminary stage. The Secretary-General
introduced the report at a resumed session of the General Assembly held
on 20 July. The General Assembly decided to hold a full discussion of the
report from 12-14 September 1990.
|
|
| 1990 |
24 July |
|
|
The Special Committee against
Apartheid issued a statement concerning the Report of the Secretary-General
on the Progress made in the Implementation of the Declaration on Apartheid
and Its Destructive Consequences in Southern Africa. It agreed with the
Secretary-General's observation that although the process of change in
South Africa has started, it is still at a preliminary stage. The Secretary-General
introduced the report at a resumed session of the General Assembly held
on 20 July. The General Assembly decided to hold a full discussion of the
report from 12-14 September 1990. |
|
| 1990 |
25 July |
|
|
Senior ANC member, Sathyandranath ‘Mac’ Maharaj and over forty other members of the ANC and the SACP, are
detained for allegedly attempting to overthrow the government (Operation
Vula). |
|
| 1990 |
29 July |
|
|
The South African Communist Party
(SACP) came out to public political life at its largest rally ever, which
was held in the township of Soweto. It introduced its 22-person "interim
leadership" to a crowd of 40,000 people. |
|
| 1990 |
31 July |
|
|
One day before the Harms Commission
was to resume its inquiry on the activities of the Civil Cooperation Bureau,
the South African Defence Force were being transferred to regular units
of the army. |
|
| 1990 |
August |
|
|
Trade agreement between Hungary
and SA.
|
|
| 1990 |
6 August |
|
|
African government and the ANC,
according to which the latter agreed to suspend the armed struggle. |
|
| 1990 |
7 August |
|
|
The ANC and the South African
Government issued a joint declaration (the "Pretoria Minute") at the conclusion
of 15 hours of talks. The ANC announced that it would immediately suspend
all armed actions, while the Government undertook to consider lifting the
state of emergency in Natal "as early as possible" and to continue reviewing
the security legislation and its application "in order to ensure free political
activity". The final report of the Joint Working Group on political offences
was accepted by both parties. Both sides pledged to redouble efforts to
reduce the level of violence in the country. |
|
| 1990 |
10 August |
|
|
Signs trade agreement with Hungary. |
|
| 1990 |
15 August |
|
|
Troops were deployed in three
densely populated townships southeast of Johannesburg after three days of
fighting between members of the Inkatha Freedom Party and ANC supporters,
during which 150 persons were killed. |
|
| 1990 |
16 August |
|
|
President F. W. de Klerk and Nelson
Mandela held emergency talks in Pretoria as violence spread to Soweto. Fighting
started there when Zulu migrant workers armed with axes and spears attacked
passengers at a train station. |
|
| 1990 |
17 August |
|
|
The ANC as well as COSATU issued
statements accusing elements of the South African security forces of orchestrating
the conflict in the townships, saying that they had evidence of forged pamphlets
being dropped in the migrant workers' hostels conveying the impression
that the ANC wanted to attack Zulus and drive them out of the townships. |
|
| 1990 |
21 August |
|
|
In a statement on South Africa,
the twelve Member-States of the European Community expressed their "great
concern" at the increasing violence, saying that they expected the South
African authorities to "do their utmost to stop the violence in an impartial
manner". |
|
| 1990 |
22 August |
|
|
Official estimates put the death
toll at 503 people killed during the ten previous days of violence. Fighting
was particularly heavy in the township of Vosloorus, 20 miles east of Johannesburg. |
|
| 1990 |
23 August |
|
|
Co-leader of the Democratic Party
Zach de Beer said he believed that police, in particular young officers,
may not have been impartial in the township conflict. |
|
| 1990 |
24 August |
|
|
More than five hundred people
die in eleven days of fighting between township residents and migrant Zulu
workers in the PWV region, and the government declares a State of Emergency
in this region.
|
|
| 1990 |
27 August |
|
|
At a four-day Conference on "Anatomy
of Hate", organised in Oslo by the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity
and the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Nelson Mandela accused the South African
Police of encouraging factional fighting around Johannesburg, and denounced
the "inability of the Government to put an end to this carnage by restraining
the police force."
At a mass funeral held at Jabulani Stadium in Soweto and attended by some
6,000 people, Archbishop Desmond Tutu said that a delegation of churchmen
would meet President de Klerk to convey to him that there was overwhelming
evidence that the police had favoured Inkatha in the recent conflict. |
|
| 1990 |
31 August |
|
|
The Special Committee against
Apartheid issued a statement expressing deep concern at the deterioration
of the situation in South Africa, the continued detention of Mac Maharaj
and the arrest of leaders of COSATU. It indicated that "it considered it
imperative that the South African authorities adopted effective measures
to ensure the impartiality of the police in this situation". It also made
"an urgent appeal to the parties concerned to seek a mechanism that will
stop this senseless violence and will enhance the possibility of a future
national reconciliation. |
|
| 1990 |
31 August |
|
|
The Natal Congress of the National
Party unanimously approved a call by the party leadership to "make membership
of the National Party accessible to all South Africans". The decision is
subject to approval by the Party Congress in the three other regions of
the country.
The Special Committee against Apartheid issued a statement expressing deep
concern at the deterioration of the situation in South Africa, at the continuous
detention of Mr. Maharaj and at the arrest of leaders of COSATU. It indicated
that "it considered it imperative that the South African authorities adopted
effective measures to ensure the impartiality of the police in this situation".
It also made "an urgent appeal to the parties concerned to seek a mechanism
that will stop this senseless violence and will enhance the possibility
of a future national reconciliation.
|
|
| 1990 |
September |
|
|
The Goldstone Commission of Inquiry
is established to investigate the Sebokeng massacre of 26 March, in which
at least eleven people were killed during a protest march by township residents.
The government launches Operation Iron Fist to curb township violence.
President F.W. de Klerk pays a three-day visit to the United States of
America.
|
|
| 1990 |
1 September |
|
|
The report of the inquiry led
by Justice Richard Goldstone into the shooting by the police of 18 demonstrators
in the township of Sebokeng on 26 March 1990 was made public. The report
criticised the actions of the police, saying that they had used force, which
was "quite immoderate and disproportionate to any lawful object sought
to be attained". |
|
| 1990 |
1 September |
|
|
Enforcement of Foreign Civil Judgements
Decree No 13:
Provided for civil judgements given in designated countries (mainly South
Africa and the other homelands) to be enforceable in Transkeian magistrates’ courts.
Commenced: 1 September 1990
|
|
| 1990 |
4 September |
|
|
Signs a memorandum of understanding
on road transportation in the Common Customs Area.
|
|
| 1990 |
6 September |
|
|
Two gunmen opened fire on a |
