This resource is hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, but was compiled and authored by Padraig O’Malley. It is the product of almost two decades of research and includes analyses, chronologies, historical documents, and interviews from the apartheid and post-apartheid eras.
Statement of the Emergency Meeting of the National Executive Committee of the ANC 23 June 1992
The National Party regime of FW de Klerk has brought our country to the brink of disaster. Riddled with corruption and mismanagement, the regime is determined to block any advance to democracy. It pursues a strategy which embraces negotiations, together with systematic covert actions, including murder, involving its security forces and surrogates. This subversion of political processes to destroy the democratic movement in South Africa led by the ANC cannot be allowed to prevail any longer.
We cannot tolerate a situation where the regime's control of state power allows it the space to deny and cover up its role in fostering and fomenting violence.
The Boipatong massacre is one of the most chilling instances of the consequences of the actions of the FW De Klerk regime. Before the people of South Africa and the bar of international opinion it cannot escape culpability.
What is at issue is more than the crisis of the negotiations process. The fundamental reason for the deadlock is whether there is to be democratic change, or white minority veto powers. There is only one way forward. It is a road which must unmistakably and unequivocally lead to the establishment of a democratic South Africa.
To this end it is necessary that the De Klerk regime agrees to:
Demands on the Regime
The regime must immediately end its campaign of terror against the people and the democratic movement. In this regard it must immediately carry out the following measures:
. Our people are compelled to live in a perpetual state of fear - be it in their homes, on their way to work, in trains and taxis, at funerals and vigils, at their places of work and entertainment. This is the stark reality. Between July 1990 and April 1992 there have been 261 attacks on township residents by hostel inmates, which led to 1,207 deaths and 3,697 injuries.
We further demand that the regime implements agreements on curbing violence reached with the ANC almost a year ago. In particular:
We insist that the regime agree to:
Call to the People of South Africa
The crisis caused by the regime constitutes a challenge to all South Africans to unite in a broad movement for democracy, peace and justice now. We all, black and white together, share the responsibility to stop the regime from plunging our country into chaos and anarchy. The ANC shall consult all formations with a view to holding a summit to unite and mobilise our people against continued white minority rule and for democracy. Unity and disciplined struggle remain the surest basis for realising peace and stability.
We call on the entire people of our country, including the business community, to join in observing 29 June as a National Day of Mourning and solidarity with the victims of the Boipatong massacre as the dead are buried.
Appeal to the International Community
The National Party regime is acting in contempt of the wishes of the international community for a speedy end to apartheid.
Now, more than ever, the international community is required to compel the De Klerk regime to bring violence to an end and to commit itself to solutions based on internationally accepted democratic principles.
In consultation with sporting bodies, we shall be reviewing the forthcoming international sports engagements involving South Africa.
We appeal to the United Nations Security Council to convene as a matter of urgency to undertake measures which will help stop the violence and reinforce our efforts aimed at bringing about a democratic order.
We call on the international community to act in solidarity with our people on the day of the funeral for the victims of the Boipatong massacre, June 29. In particular we appeal to all workers throughout the world not to handle South African carriers and goods on this day.
On Negotiations
The ANC reaffirms its commitment to a negotiated resolution of the conflict in our country which would bring about democracy, peace and justice. The refusal of the regime to accept such a settlement compelled the NEC to review the current negotiations process.
The ANC has no option but to break off bilateral and Codesa negotiations. The NEC will be keeping the situation under continuous review. The response and practical steps taken by the De Klerk regime to these demands will play a critical role in determining the direction and speed with which bona fide negotiations can take place.
The decisions taken today will be conveyed to the regime by ANC President Nelson Mandela as soon as possible.
Issued by: Department of Information and Publicity
PO Box 61884,
Marshalltown 2107.
23 June, 1992