1984-94 - revolt in the townships

UDF

UDF

• Formed in 1983 by 575 orgs, sought to co-ordinate internal opposition and introduced gov based on freedom charter

• Loosely organised (many militant groups), support as high as 2 million

• Supported unions (COSATU) - 6 million days lost to strike action in 1987, COSAS (congress of SA students) organised school strikes, collected 1m signatures against new constitution

• ‘People’s organs, Popels power’ Programme sought grassroots action, protests grew more nationalist in tone (singing of Nkosi Sikelel iAfrika)

• Banned in 1987, but lack of centralised organisation allowed movement to continue

Township government

• Elected township councils formed in 1977 (intended to defuse antagonisms towards whites)

• Those who participated were viewed as collaborators and targeted by mobs, corruption ride, assassinations common, revenue could only be raised by rent increases

Communal violence

• 800 killed in 1985 due to political activity, Necklacing common

• Inkhata Violence encouraged by Chief Buthelezi, Opposed UDF (seen as front for ANC), became police chief and turned blind eye to inkhata violence

• Growing hostility between migrant orders (favoured Inkhata) and township residents (favoured ANC) - Inkhata received covert support from Security forces

Government violence

• Growth in Govt Violence - 40 political assassinations, bombed ANC and COSATU HQs

• ‘Third force’ saw members of Govt security forces Co-oppertunity with white vigilantes to undermine negotiations - accused of responsibility for 90% of deaths related to unrest

• ‘Inkhatagate’ revealed members of security forces collaborated with Inkhata

Government suppression

• Internal security act 1982 allowed people to be investigated/banned without reason given

• Focus on destruction of bases; truce with MPLA (Angola) on condition that SWAPO bases be closed, Nkomati Accords ensured ANC bases closed in Mozambique - Gave SADF respite from full-scale military action