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 It is the product of almost two decades of research and includes analyses, chronologies, historical documents, and interviews from the apartheid and post-apartheid eras.

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March

MARCH 2

Received Thursday 2nd March 1989

Isabella – Charles.

First, congrats on excellent job done on material posted London 15th received here 28th instant. Amsterdam job was just as great. When are we getting AC?

Second. Suggest urgent consideration of transfer involving three cars Easter weekend. Apart from normal holiday flow, many here planning to travel to major rock concert involving UB40 then. There must be no balls up this time and all arrangements to be strictly followed. Arrangements for contact A should be as follows: Place of meeting : Car Park Square at African Mall, north-western corner nearest to bank. Dates and times: Friday, 24th, 11hrs and 14hrs; Sat, 25th, 10hrs. Your person to be Jake/Jane. Ours to be Dave/Dolly. D/D will be inside or outside the car wearing red t-shirt and white sports hat/cap. J/J to approach D/D and ask: "Excuse me, do you know whether the lakeside picnic crowd has left?" A. "Sorry I don't, I only came here to rock with the big band". Retort by J/J "What a place a car park is to rock!" They then introduce themselves by the supplied names. Arrangements for contact B: Spa shopping complex on Julius Nyerere, at parking lot opp. butchery and pharmacy adjacent to Spa Supermarket. Dates and Times: Friday, 17hrs, Sat. 15hrs and 18hrs. Our person will be Kay/Kate. Your person Paul/Paula. K/K will wear a white t-shirt and red sports hat/cap. P/P to approach K/K and ask: "Excuse me, is there a butcher open today, otherwise our picnic flops." A: "I was asking myself that question about a bottle store." Paul(a) : "Well at least I have enough booze." Intros follow. Contact C: Place: Spa, but close to bottle store. Dates and Times: Sat. 11hrs & 13hrs, Sunday10am. Our person is Lindsay/Linda. Your person Tony/Tiny. L/L will wear white t-shirt and blue sports hat/cap in/outside car. T/T to approach and ask: "Excuse me, do you know any place which sells newspapers in this complex? I want the Weekly Mail." A: "No, I am a visitor here even though I already know several liquor outlets." T/T : "Well, that's what visitors look for first." Intros. Cars likely to be Mercs or Cressidas. For contact A&B parking likely to be deserted. Confirm soon. End.

MARCH 4

Sent Saturday 4th March 1989

First of 3:

Ch : Don't use TC on new disk I sent with John. Discovered problem. Use old one.

My beloved Tony,

How much has happened since those days of the 10th floor flat on Avenida Eduardo Mondlane! And it's all led to what we have both been unceasingly craving, the need to live out and not merely feel our commitment. That's why this anniversary has such a special meaning for me: it's our first one where I can say that at last we're jointly really in the thick of it, a tick that has given our lives the depth and meaning we so need. What keeps me going thro' all the pain of being apart from you is the belief that what's best can only be born of bitter blows not only to the enemy but, in the process, to ourselves. I therefore remain elated by what you're doing and by your courage and daring, tempered as these are by planning and caution. So we've much to celebrate this anniversary, Louco, and with such beautiful children at our sides we cannot but toast this moment of our lives with our song "Gracias a la Vida". Your beautiful msgs have been like a shot in the arm, helping me get back into the swing of things again. I'd have replied sooner, but since my return home I've been deep in the throes of re-organising things. What with both sis gone back to their own homes, and 5 months of mail, some on very urgent matters, to catch up on, I've been up to my eyeballs, stitches and all, in running around. And then there's Bax and Mangistu who are refusing to let go in spite of the really good work being done by the Chilean I recommended as substitute from Geneva. I've so far managed to keep them at bay but will have to have a heart-to-heart discussion again with them when Bax returns in a week's time or so. Then there's all the documentation to compile relating to the accident which Geneva require soonest. And all of last week was spent settling the Walisku affair. This has now gone through, in our favour, another reason to celebrate!

You say in one of your msgs that you still don't know the circumstances of my accident, yet long to know. This means you've perhaps not received my lengthy TK msg dated 1/1/89 which was collected by Rocky on 2nd Jan from me for dispatch to you.

2nd follows.

Sent Saturday 4th March 1989

Second of 3

In that msg I went into lots of details about lots of things, including the accident. But brief, I was on my way home from an official function of the PTA being held at Bax's residence. On the Kalingalinga Road I blacked out due to 'combat fatigue' and wrapped around a tree. Had been working under the most enormous pressure that week not only with Charles, Rocky, RP and PTA but also with the children and had lost so much sleep that I wanted to down the invitation on to Bax's. But he had specially wanted me to come so I had no choice. Now I learn that the accident having occurred while I was officially on duty had lots of implications which I'm only just beginning to look into.

The children are superb. Joey still gurgles with delight each time we talk about you, calling you an oven whenever I tell her that you'll be cuddling her up again one day. She 'complains' that you always feel so hot you might burn her! And Milou is amazingly self-contained considering all they've been through. He always lights up when we speak about you, saying with such pride that he wants to follow in your footsteps. He's doing very well at school, and so is Joey. She won top prize for poetry recital in her age group and when she appeared in front of the entire school to recite her poem, Milou couldn't help blurting out proudly "That's my sister". They hug and kiss you, and love you "above the skies and beneath the seas".

In spite of the circumstances the SU was an inspiring experience for me. I was treated really well, as all the other patients were, but what made my stay really special was big S. Although we were in quarantine for 5 weeks, he kept in touch by phone and when I was out of hospital, saw me whenever he could squeeze in some time. The warmth he generated is wonderful. Like you, he's a man of great energy and principle and humanity. He expressed deep concern about your safety, saying that the Boers would spend easily 10 million to catch you if they got so much as a whiff that that you are there. He indicated that you might be pushing your luck a bit – I only hope he's wrong. He sends you warmest regards and congratulations.

Part three next

Sent Saturday 4th March 1989

Last of 3:

By the way, I spent 10 days in the Crimea strengthening your legend, but Simon Makana thinks you're on some sort of mission there, not in hospital. And Lindi Mabuza, who spent the last 2 days with me, including the Bolshoi Ballet which was the most awesomely delightful experience, was very concerned about your condition. She was a lovely travelling companion back to Raymond's with me. Regards from her too. I also saw Natalya twice, and Daniele de Bruyn. Natalya sent you a little present when I left for the Crimea!

I haven't yet even unpacked properly and now I've to start thinking about my 4th operation which I'll be glad to get over and done with. I've a tentative date for 28th March, for the removal of the metal rod from my arm, which will allow easier movement in the shoulder region. The most I shall be in hospital will be 2 nights.

I cannot leave the kids behind…(bad data).. will be their last week of term, so have to start making arrangements for their care while I'm in hospital. Last time Paul (remember, Shir's X) rallied around me. He came from Masvingo specially to look after them while I was having my second operation to remove the wires from the collarbone, as S had left already. But I don't know if he'll be available again – still there are other possibilities to look into. I shall never f…(bad data)….heart, nor Alphons' spontaneity and warm reaction when he learnt of my eye problem. He went all out to get me to the SU and by the way expressed his admiration for you during that session. He said you're making a qualitative change to the struggle, you're making all the difference. The other comrades too have done a lot to help where they could.

It's as if these grueling 5 months never happened – what I care about now is the future, and us. I don't want to look back again because there's so much to look forward to.

Louco, I have to wind up for now. Remember the words of the soothsayer at Victoria Falls? I do believe he's right, and the years ahead are going to be many and far richer than we've ever known. In all the seasons of my emotions, too, I love you. The children feel as passionately, so keep on going, but carefully, please!!

Alongside you forever

Elsa

Received Saturday 4th March 1989

4 March : Dear Cde "It-is-possible", I am writing this quick note because I understand that Cde Pres. And GS are in delegation to your country. Hope I catch them in time for this to be taken to you. My dear Cde, Joe and I are keeping well and busy (we hope productively – but more likely making a bigger mess!). We often think of you and are most grateful for all the help you have given us in executing this project (which we trust is the start of many more!). One day we have to find time to talk of the escapades J and I went thro once we set off from your end, including the mess we got into with the disguises etc. But the main reason for this note is also to convey special thanks to you and your Party for the solid and unstinting support you have given to maintaining my legend and to my comrade and wife. Her accident caused me much pain but the knowledge that cdes like you were giving all support etc did much to ease my frustration. My deep and sincere thanks to you. I owe a personal and everlasting debt to you, your Party and country – which, of course, in the Gorbachovian era does not mean I shall uncritically defend everything your Party does! Please also convey warmest greetings to other cdes who helped. Looking forward to the day when, despite Gorbachov – or is it Ligachev in this case? – we shall meet again around a bottle of well-chilled vodka! Keep well and keep telling effective lies about me! Van Zyl Slabbert will certainly enquire from all of you so you will have to ensure that Slava and others don't deny your lies! (Oh! How one lie will lead you to a lifetime of lies!). Warmest greetings.

Received Saturday 4th March 1989

4.3 :

1.. Ken – thanks for Elsa l. Ensure I get 2 and 3 either tonight or early tomorrow pls. Leaving tomorrow for Zola. Disk letter sent via John could not be handled via the V5 disk sent previously. When F5-ing one got report 'header missing'. Tried new program disk you just sent and managed! Your msg noted r new program disk. Further, fortunately you sent original of Umseb, as something went wrong in enciphering "eight" – all efforts to retrieve failed.

2.. A and J : Pls don't worry re first para of Alphons2. Have taken precautions and since then been checking and it looks innocent. Still am not banking on that. Have taken steps to get Nigel and Jenny to vacate. I stopped staying there since. Had to improvise but all is well. Pls excuse disjointedness of report and incompleteness caused by above. Had to keep writing while the palms of my hands were sweating! Will make up in follow up report.

3.. For Janet eyes only: Not clear of all facts and do not want to cause problems. My present info is that JZ suspects/knows of my presence here and has been asking cdes from home for confirmation of this. Cannot understand why he should do latter. After all, if he suspects or has info he should immediately confide in A and J and not start his own checking and thereby spread knowledge/curiosity in others. But will report factually to you from Zola plus my reading of where leaks have taken place. However, don't want to cause probs between his people here and him. But leaks cld be from PB end too – Moshoshoe can't be at ease given how I keep picking his loose talk! Hope J has not spread it to Mamba, Sue etc. Once we know facts, have to find ways to contain info. Decide if you want this known to A at this stage – careful probs may have arisen from PB side! Warm greetings etc

Sent Saturday 4th March 1989

Janet to Tony : Refiloe is available. She's going to Dick's tomorrow (3rd) and we would like to tell her when to come back to be prepared to join you. Please answer immediately how soon you're ready for her. She leaves for Dick's tomorrow (3rd).

Chas: You can use new disk for all but TC. I found that when I receive very bad msgs (eg from Lusaka!) new program locks up instead of riding over it as it's supposed to do. Will send corrected ver next time so stick with old TC. Don't understand why you tried to decipher John-brought disk letter with TC since it was a TK msg. No wonder it would not F5!

-. Sorry I've been a bit slow today. Just discovered my bleep's on the blink. Got a shock when I found 9 msgs on TV.

Out

MARCH 6

Sent Monday 6th March 1989

Leo to Tony

1.. Have you met Maureen?

2.. Staley exposed. Thru mistake Peter Mahlangu became aware and talked loosely about her.

3.. Just been to Maureen's place to check for support network. Only one prospect for home – Jan. next year. And one for Dick's. Other candidates, + ten, not suitable. Either don't have qualifications, exposed or immature. However have set up Joe Dabula to take charge of our work as Jojo recalled to HQ. One interesting person who has facilities and is willing to train sniper. Think a legal person trained as sniper would be very useful to you. Trying in gen to set up other facilities in this area. Should take another 3/6 months to mature.

4.. Re security:

(a). Relived to hear that N and J incident not serious.

(b). Have decided with Janet to show report on J.Z. to Alphonso after sanitizing it. Alphonso has seen it and considering best solution.

(c). Have received feedback from Tessa that Isabella has phoned Sipho Twala. Known to our cdes that Isabella has phoned from Cathy's. We assume that you must have had good reasons to phone him but consider the following:

Ø. Cathy contradicts the legend.

Ø. Sipho has had a number of contacts with the enemy. They've tried to recruit him. He claims that he has rejected their offer.

Ø. If his phone is tapped or the talk among cdes leads to a check on that call, the enemy may learn that Isabella is inside.

(d). Your reports and from others show that you're overworking. Shouldn't you slow down for a limited period?

5.. Re : proposal for new pick up at Dicks: Regret cannot meet our request. Partial investigation so far shows that Rocky unreliable, disorganized and disrupting relations with other structures. Since Leo to busy with congress preparations and will have to leave soon after end of March, we'd rather postpone arrangements than use Rocky again. Understand your keenness to use Easter and UB40 but we'd rather wait until we are better organised. Have chosen replacement for Rocky, Alphons now negotiating. Go well.

MARCH 8*

Letter from Tony to Congress

8th March 1989

The General Secretary

SACP

Dear Comrade,

Please convey my apologies to the 7th Congress for my inability to attend. As you and the PB are aware I was again hospitalized at the end of June in the Soviet Union. Although the Soviet comrades are doing everything to ensure that I get the best of treatment this has not been a pleasant period for me. My faith in communism remains intact though I find the dictatorship of the doctors intolerable.

I would like to thank you for taking all the trouble to ensure that I receive regular reading material, especially the AC and Umsebenzi. Unfortunately the treatment I have been receiving has not made it possible for me to study the draft programme with the care and attention it deserves. I hope to enclose herewith some of my comments which in my usual way I trust are not my final comments.

Our 7th Congress, I believe, is taking place at a very important moment in the history of our struggle. This is a moment when clear perspectives and decisive leadership are required of our movement as never before. On the one hand the understanding that Apartheid must and will go has developed into a certainty and as I see it from this distance the masses of our people are unshaken in terms of their commitment and militancy. But the permanence of repression, the faltering moves by different segments of the mass democratic movement, the carrot of a negotiated resolution in the wake of the Namibian settlement, the fact that the MDM cannot feel any significant and qualitative escalation in the armed struggle and that they do not adequately feel the presence of the Party and the ANC Underground, plus no doubt manipulation by the enemy and its leadership – at all levels.

This is why I believe we could not have chosen a better time to make the formulation of a new programme which embodies a concentrated focus on the path to people's power. The results of this congress will therefore be felt far beyond our immediate ranks. In our deliberations I am convinced that Congress will apply its mind with equal seriousness to ensure effective implementation of its decisions.

I am certain that Congress will address itself to these imperatives with a due sense that its deliberations would constitute a way forward out of this crisis of leadership.

Looking back at what I have said above makes me diffident to go on when I cannot be present to share in your deliberations and shoulder the responsibilities of implementing our decisions.

Allow me to wish Congress well and to express my fullest confidence that the 7th Congress will rise to its responsibilities and that we shall all emerge from it with greater expectations and greater certainty in our victory.

With warm greetings to you and all the delegates. I look forward to the time when I can escape from the dictatorship of the doctors and rejoin you in the trenches.

Das

MARCH 9

Sent Thursday 9th March 1989

Leo to Tony : Met Cindy not long ago. She sends her greetings and best wishes wherever you are. Dutch AAM is organising a Conference for SA women in Amsterdam from 19-30 Nov 89. About hundred participants, 80 from home and 20 ANC external. This is being jointly organised with our women's section, providing an opportunity for us to meet with internal activists. We're not yet informed of how internal selection is being made but thought important to inform you so that you can ensure good selection. Secondly you could utilise this opportunity, ie the preparatory contacts and conference itself, for sending msgs and persons to us.

Charles to Tony :

-. Did you manage to get forms re SAPONET from post office? I sent you phone no. to find out where to get it if PO doesn't have – 012 293 1156. Want to use this in future with TS so you can send us long reports pronto and we can send you Ums etc. When you get forms I'll send address or use address of person in whose name TS is registered (do you still have it?).

-. John's morale has gone up ++ since you spoke to him. Other factors were breaking up with girlfriend and our working on him too. He seems to get on really well with you but always says he's worried you work too hard!

-. Your TS a/c is paid for. TS man is strange character. Never sends bill. I just phone him periodically to is ask if I'm still in credit. When he says 'no' I send him R1,000! Maybe I'm being ripped off but what can we do?

Out

MARCH 10

Sent Friday 10th March 1989

-. Friday, sorry don't have another 287 messages to keep you busy. Just this one!

Aziz asked me to come round to his place this morning to 'discuss something'. When I got there he presented me with a set of instructions to send to SA re Congress arrangements (i.e. for delegates when to come, where to meet, etc). While this is OK, how – in the first place – does he know I can communicate with SA? In second place who authorized him to use our system? I couldn't say to him I couldn't do it as he obviously knew I could; nor could I say I wouldn't as he has been told to liaise with me over Congress arrangements (and I've been told to liaise with him). While I suppose I will have to send on the instructions, I don't want a situation to arise where he thinks he can use our channel to get word inside at any time he wants. By agreeing to do it this time I suppose I may have given him the impression that he can. And if he knows about our channel then how many others also do? There have to be strict rules about this but at the same time if we lay down rules we inform people about what they shouldn't know in the first place. What say? Should I send the instructions? Please reply pronto.

-. Simon will take over 'the system' from Sunday afternoon as I leave for Oslo Monday morning. He'll probably keep control until I get back from Jack's place at end of month.

-. Re wig catalogue Tony wants: I asked EK ages ago to order but she never did. I went to see her at work today and got her to order while I was there. She'll also try to get me suits etc for nothing to save our money.

-. Sending negatives and slide mounts and viewer with friend of EK on Thursday. Simon will tell you who it is.

-. Sent clarification on £500 to Cindy.

MARCH 11

Sent Saturday 11th March 1989

1.. Allan and Lambasteer OK.

2.. Transvaal: Dates : Arrive before 1st April; latest 3rd. Contact : Book into accom. Then phone 609 0531. Speak to or leave a msg for Aziz; or phone Brian Bunting 340 7516. Say it is Richardson speaking. Arrange day and time to meet. Meeting Place : Mornington Crescent underground station – ticket office. ID : Financial Times newspaper (pink). Send date and time of arrival to us before leaving SA.

3.. Natal: Dates : Arrive before 31st March; latest 3 April. Contact : Book into accom. Then phone 609 0531. Speak to or leave msg for Aziz; or phone Brian Bunting 340 7516. Say it is Martin speaking. Arrange day and time to meet. Meeting Place: Warren Street underground station – ticket office. ID : Time magazine. Send date and time of arrival to us before leaving SA.

Charles to Tony

I will be away much of the time between Monday 13 till end of month. Simon will take over comms from Sunday afternoon (12th). Direct all comms (TC, TV etc) to Simon until further notice. Please confirm asap to TV that you have got this.

Bon giorno

MARCH 13

Received Sunday 13th March 1989

19.3

1.. For Simon : Had this msg ready on Friday but found both modems we have at Zola's have packed in. Dashed to Sello's and have just got back with 3rd modem (1pm) – hope it works. Hope to send string of msgs today – urgent – plse acknowledge asap so that we can get thro as many today. Will also collect yours when sending this.

2.. For Leo : Ready for Minah and Refiloe as soon as you can send them. Suggest ff procedures and documents for each:

(a). The fly into Manzini on SA p/ports wh are stamped to show when each exited SA, where each went and from where each is arriving into Manzini.

(b). Each to fly into Manzini with tickets from departure point to Maseru via Manzini and using a flight that compels a stopover in Manzini.

(c). Each to be provided with clean tickets Manzini-Dbn wh each wld use to board such a flight a day or so later and still using the SA p/ports to exit from Manzini.

(d). Meanwhile cde such as Leo to be in Manzini to receive them during stopover, hand them Swazi local passports with same photo's as on SA p/ports a Matsapa airport exit stamp with date to coincide with their flight to Dbn.

(e). On the flight each shld switch passports to disembark at Dbn with Swazi p/ports.

(f). Each to carry SA ID books with photo's based on appearances they wld use inside SA and not as the other travelling p/ports. Each ID to carry drivers licences.

(g). Plse advise when we can expect M and R and if above arrangements can be met by you with adequate regard to details. Ends more

MARCH 14

Received Tuesday 14th March 1989

1.. Minah back and last leg of prep. Anything in addition to what you've suggested of amendments?

2.. After consultations with Janet:

1.. Re congress:

1.1. Still awaiting 'Call to the People' from you.

1.2. We think Tony should write letter to Congress purporting to come from Fatman's area (a) apologizing for his absence; (b) wishing the Congress well; (c) acknowledging receipt of Congress documents and making comment on that and on this period (not necessarily detailed) and acknowledge comments ma 03 out of touch sine you have been away for some time; (d) making some point about his illness and dictatorship of doctors which does not enable him to attend.

3.. Re security: received personal report from Trix today. DM took him into confidence. Revealed Tony and Isabella. This after DM has spoken to Janet and Alphons. Trix says that he stopped him from revealing more and Trix has not revealed info to anybody else. He did not write report to us but waited until he came up to Raymond's. Further info about DM from Trix is that he is seeking scholarship to study in Cathy's. We do not know if DM has spoken to other people outside (he did meet Stanley and others). We even question whether his assurance that he has not revealed identities to Rachel (and perhaps others) is true. We are concerned at this breach of security and how you and we should respond to DM. Would a confrontation with him not cause him to hit back at you? Obviously a way has to be found to ease him out of that sensitive role as a link between yourself and Rachel. Avoiding for the moment 'a permanent solution'. Perhaps we should hasten the scholarship process. Janet and Alphons could then confront him and warn him against any further breach of security. Please urgent response.

4.. Considering:

i.. previous alarm.

ii.. your overworking (Tony)

iii.. DM;

iv.. legend is beginning to frail;

v.. Elsa and family – we think Tony should come out, at least for a month. Fatman's place would be the best, as it would also help to reinforce the legend. If all right with you we suggest transit through India (refer little George). Janet says you can have use of his dacha which he himself has never seen nor used.

MARCH 16

16 March 1989

HG confronted by Slovo and Nzo

This message I sent to Theo Thursday. He asked me to send it to you:

Mike forgot to send off details re Danny's contact:

Recognition signals for Daniel: Daniel will display Time magazine, Newsweek and British Economist on table and read Citizen. Theo's person will carry a Citizen.

K2 THEO:

1a.. I've no idea where figure of 3 members of ILC core comes from. It was never mentioned and I can only assume that it was a typing error.

1b.. HG was ill and was not at Mike's during Sipho's trip.

1c.. Both Norman and Kay spent 5 sessions confronting HG in the presence of X. It was not possible at the NEC discussion at which he was present to take the matter further since it could not be done without spelling out the fact about the whole Vula project including the identification of Theo. The same applied to HG.

1d.. The ultimate decision about the future of MDM organizations was contained in the NEC document and not in the Selebe interview.

1e.. We have been trying to get a copy of the NEC minutes when Sipho was present and we hope to forward these to you in next few days.

1f.. Have had no word from Daniel since he left for Fatman.

Carl from John:

Hope you got TV msg tht Daniel has postponed his engagement to next week 23rd. This means meeting will be next day. Maatla

MARCH 19

Sent Sunday 19th March 1989

Tony:

(a). Minah will be at Tessa's +17th April. Estimate we'll need 3 weeks to get genuine document + prepare legend etc. So she'll be ready around 2nd week of May. Need details from you on where/how etc to meet. At this stage we think she'll go by bus straight to Sello's; giving you whole route so that you can monitor her. Leo will be at Tessa's. No briefing will be given to Minah; only the bottom, need of secrecy, that she falls under leadership inside.

(b). What funds do you require, should it be sent usual way via Charles?

(c). Alphons will be here next week, expect more response re your reports.

(d). Re report on Dick's: Alphons, Janet and Leo will meet next week to evaluate and make decisions. Although Janet and Leo have decided, once we have all three officially decided, we give you report on our findings.

(e). Re silencers: going to see suppliers soon. Going to push that we come back with goods that's it.

Received Sunday 19th March 1989

19.3:

1.. Re John: the date you have given on TV does not seem to conform to agreed code wh is ADD one month to real month and ADD seven days to real date. But even more concerned that Charles is not sending anything.

(a). He is aware of probs re using the programme with data disk and we have very sensitive msgs to send. Hence forced to send via KC msg relating to delegate movements for Congress etc. would have expected rewritten programme with John.

(b). Two of our modems have packed in – maybe their internal batteries have run down and do not accept recharging. Urgently need 2 replacement modems.

(c). Isabella's LT has packed in – battery run down and does not accept recharging. Trying to get replacement battery – no success yet. Can John bring suitable batteries?

(d). Urgently need propaganda booklet wh has been promised. Expected it with John. Impossible to expect Isabella and Tony to run all specialty training themselves from their heads. Engineering notes still not to hand. We cannot carry on like this. It's just Isabella and Tony on the ground and surely you guys have got a pool of resources.

(e). The TS at Sello's has also packed in. have brought it back today in hope of getting it repaired at Zola's.

(f). Isabella and Tony still do not have means to communicate between each other – waiting from radio modems wh have been promised. Surely before Janet and Co began to give Charles other tasks wh require his present running around they shld have taken into account his role re Vula! Next msg re Congress delegates.

Received Sunday 19th March 1989

19 March: part 3

1.. re delegates to Congress-

(a). Re Zola : arranging for Marsha to arrive in London but imperative there must be no talk that he ever left the country 'cos he will use b/d p/port. Will supply details later. Probs re second delegate who is chair of C-C. Only likely to get local travel document. In wh case he can get to Dicks, from there fly to Raymonds. This means you will have to arrange clearance at Raymonds, get ticket and put him on Aeroflot 3-4-89 for Moscow from where he can proceed to venue. Will he then be on time? Can you do this?

(b). Sello: One delegate has similar problems as Zola (b) above with difference that he already has travel documents. Will you be able to cater for him too as above? 2nd delegate is Kaiser who will be able to fly into London. Plse reply urgently re the 2 who will only have travel documents and we can then hope to tie everything up by Thurs and supply you with details.

2.. When can we expect next funds allocation and how much – delegates fares will leave us broke.

3.. Janet's signature has not arrived. Submitted letter to Cosatu with a scrawl. Almost sure to get a msg. hope to do a few others like that in the next few days. During quick visit to Sello found we had not yet reached Walter and Co. Still trying. Still hoping to get something from HG. Regret not enough time to arrange logistics, security, etc for getting videoed msgs.

4.. You have RS's msg. His circumstances very difficult but Tony has direct contact. Can Janet make sp allocation on once off basis of R5000 for RS for facilities to function under his heavy restrictions. Ends More asap

MARCH 20

Received Monday 20th March 1989

Elsa to Tony

Dearest Tony

Trust you've received my extended anniversary message. Saw Janet yesterday who advised that you've been asked to consider a break with us. Thought I should let you know that if such a break is on it would be preferable, as far as this is possible, if we could try to avoid disrupting the kids' schooling as this currently one of the few sources of stability in their lives. Andy they've already missed a lot of school as a result of my accident. Their holidays are from 1st to 25th April, then one week half-term in June and then all of August. Naturally the sooner we see you the better for us. Please advise the possibilities. Will be in Harare from 27th March to 31st March for my fourth operation. All love, Elsa.

MARCH 21

Received Tuesday 21st March 1989

20.3.89 :

1.. Surprise you are asking how much we need. We submitted fairly detailed budget wh we were told looks OK. So it's a question of how much you can make available.

2.. Re security problems:

(a). Re J – still not in a position to give any further info.

(b). Re D and the Trix matter: wld be useful to know if T filed report with Leo or with Janet. But he needs to be praised for the step he took. Did he also file a report with his chief (be it Rooi or J)? We decided to take up the matter directly and confronted D today. At every stage of the discussion he made denials qualified by how much he cld deduce we were revealing. In the end I think we were right – he admitted revealing both our presence to T and Tony's presence to Rachel and to having given a more vague info of the mission's presence to HG. The matter is serious but I think that such slips are not to be unexpected. I think we have created the conditions for D to rise above this weakness, as well as a larger weakness, of playing games at the political level wh may be directed at enhancing his own image at the expense of the struggle, by reporting to different senior cdes what he thinks each wld like to hear and what enhances him. So we're keeping him in the structures but from his own account Rachel, despite his being informed of the security and political problems around X, retains confidence in X. So we will have to watch that end. But if we are to solve and preempt political problems Tony will have to see Rachel. We are hoping this will happen in April. At the same time it wld be good if for A and J we also develop a 2nd line to Rachel and not be totally dependent on D. In short politically lets give D a chance to correct himself and act more constructively ie if his confession to us is the whole truth (he denies that Trix stopped him from revealing more once D revealed our presence). But we are worried 'cos Rachel's collective is acting somewhat peculiarly (they met recently but have given no report for forwarding to you). Ditto HG who is beginning to take positions arbitrarily and it is only when given our understanding of D plus D's confession that he has vaguely indicated our presence to HG but we did not go into the sort of political briefings he has been giving to HG, that we begin to smell some basis for HG's arbitrarily decided positions. Again don't become over-concerned – the only way is to give us a chance to sort these out, on the ground, as they must be, if we have to move forward.

(c). Appreciate your concern re Tony's safety but (and it's difficult when we have to also consider matters such as Elsa and Co.) the work is at such a formative stage, the complicated questions of logistics of getting out and coming back and the timing thereof lead the two of us to feel that Tony cannot leave at the moment. The solutions to so many issues are much at a formative stage. Maybe you should apply your minds to how we should reinforce our legends.

1/2

Leo (20th) :

Got your four msgs.

Charles:

-. John at Sello 7th April.

-. Propaganda notes, new progs, new modems coming with John.

-. You can use data disks with version of TC you were using prior to John's last visit (ie version with only TC on disk). I said not to use data disks with TC on disk John brought last time (ie version with TC, TG and TK etc all on one disk). Which version you using?

-. Revised TV date system was -2 for day and month but checking with Raymond as awkward to speak about future as past.

-. Did you not receive book at doctors' address with Janet's signature concealed in back cover?

One more coming

MARCH 22

Sent Wednesday 22nd March 1989

2/2. Charles cont/….

-. LT: Must be able to get replacement batteries in SA. Important to give regular full 8-hour charge from flat. Short "top-up" charges bad for batts. See manual for battery care.

-. TS: What is problem? Perhaps someone could take to dealer for repairs?

-. TR: Poss. This time with John. Giving big headaches.

-. Modems: What is problem? Batts?

Leo (21st)

Congress : Cathy briefed re delegates coming to that area, Masha and Kaiser are fine.

Your 2 delegates who'll arrive thru Dick's : third of fourth to Moscow is fine. On that date the last contingent will leave this area. Last date people should arrive at Raymonds = first of fourth. We'll clear for entry into Raymond's. Plse send names and dates of arrival asap.

There is alternative way: Freddie's. Advantage of Freddie is:

(a). tickets would not have to coincide with pp.

(b). pp will not be stamped out.

(c). They would leave Freddie's bypassing Raymond's.

Disadvantage : We'll have to apply for visa for them and need names and pp details in order to do it. We leave it to you to decide. Convey your decision asap. If you decide on Freddie's we need all info, meeting arrangements etc very soon.

Leo 22nd

Re your msg of 20/3/89: response to part we could read: Trix filed verbal report with Leo. Later Leo called Janet in. Trix assures us that he has not reported to any other person.

Ch 22nd

Got 1st half of repeat of your msg on security problems from Simon. That's all he had last night. If you sent more during day he'll send on later. Out

MARCH 23

Received Thursday 23rd March 1989

1.. Sorry, should have advised you that we established contact with Graham (Maureen) two weeks after you sent address. Looked into her problems, gave her R4000 for furniture etc, advised her to find more suitable accom. Re car problems: decided to give her one of the cars that was coming online for us. But when we delivered it at the end of Feb we found that she cld not drive a manual driven car. Anyway we won't go into the saga after that – we're sorting her problems out, except that it will take her long to become operational 'cos she seems to be in a phase where she's unable to exercise initiative – maybe caused by the earlier months when she was without support. Apparently Rocky insisted that she leave behind her drivers licence and she sent this from Amsterdam to Jojo. Could you urgently trace it and get it back to us.

2.. Either by courier or thru John we shall be sending you:

(a). Jack's (Paul G) photo's and particulars for his ID book and

(b). An ID book with a fire arm licence in it. Wld like you to urgently prepare the stick on licences, correct type faces etc so that you can prepare ID's for Isabella and Tony wh will also have fire arm licences in them. In addition we think you shld purchase 2 really good machine pistols (if possible with silencers) enter their serial no's on the licences meant for us and get these weapons to us. Do you think you can move fast on acquiring these weapons for us? Maybe John cld bring them in. But we'd like you to act fast.

3.. Ken mentioned the FM radio transmitters with a range of 10 km radius. We are very interested in this and urge you to speed the matter.

4.. The books sent with John, although supposed to be reusable, were damaged when we tried to retrieve the material – it seems they were gummed together in haste. We need a few such books properly prepared so that we can use them internally.

5.. Further re YM and the Natal violence question – assures us that he has sent no such report. We're still looking into it but it would be useful if you could actually lay your hands on this letter which Thabo has raised on different occasions with various people from home and also look at the date of this purported letter. Is it genuine? We need feedback.

6.. Plse advise precise date when John is expected.

7.. Pls give Elsa and the kids my fondest love. Elsa's letter cheered me up no end. Hoping to write to her and send disk when next opportunity arises. Meanwhile wld appreciate further news from her. Ends

MARCH 24

Received Friday 24th March 1989

24 March:

1.. Masha will be arriving at Cathy's on 30.3.89. Still waiting for doc for Themba from Zola. As an alternate, in case Themba's doc is not granted in time, we have asked Zakes to chase up issue of Zake's doc.

2.. Re delegates from Sello's: tickets are being arranged for Stan Nkosi (=Ndlela) to get to Raymond's via Dick's: will supply details asap but meanwhile suggest you get him cleared for entry at Raymond's, plus other matters around his security, ensure his p/port is not stamped at Raymond, sort out what stamp to put on his p/port to account for his exit from Dick's etc. Re Kaiser: have been trying to get hold of him to sort out travel etc but no response as yet. Will keep working at it.

3.. Ken: have managed to get a cde who opened modems, checked batteries, and has purchased batteries for modems and TS – he is due to fit them and see if this solves our probs as we are not sure that this is the only prob. But will keep you posted. So far have not been able to obtain battery for LT – cold be useful if you sent a couple of these with John.

4.. Janet's signature did not arrive. This stresses my concern that somehow enemy has been most effective at blocking post. In all this period we have also not come across one copy of AC received by anyone thro the post! Ditto Umseb! Hence for foreseeable future for each item sent thro post we have to have another parallel method operating so that we can test out how to break thro the post.

5.. Love to Elsa and kids and thanks for note giving kids t/tables. Alles van die beste.

MARCH 25

Received Saturday 25th March 1989

Letter from Tony to Congress

8th March 1989

The General Secretary

SACP

Dear Comrade,

I am certain that Congress will address itself to these imperatives with a due sense that its deliberations would constitute a way forward out of this crisis of leadership.

Looking back at what I have said above makes me diffident to go on when I cannot be present to share in your deliberations and shoulder the responsibilities of implementing our decisions.

With warm greetings to you and all the delegates. I look forward to the time when I can escape from the dictatorship of the doctors and rejoin you in the trenches.

Das

Received Saturday 25th March 1989

Thanks for yours!

For Tony from Leo

On ID Books:

1.. For Africans still not available. Suppliers recently told Janet that they require more samples for Africans. Can you help with that? Only books here are for Whites, Indians and Coloureds. So will be able to work on ID for Tony and Isabel. I don't think that it will work for Jack. We suggest that for Jack you purchase the ID book and he can then stick on the license etc for him.

2.. Minnah: We don't think that present ID books will work for her either. Suggest similar procedure as above = you purchase book etc.

On security information to JO

Extremely useful. Conclusive evidence that at least one source of leak is FM. Therefore acting immediately to prevent him from attending congress. On the basis that the ANC has already confronted him, the ANC will follow up in the next day or two.

This necessitated us showing info to JZ. That is the enemy analysis. We will tell him that info supplied to JO by Masha ( will also brief Masha accordingly when we see him). We request that the info sent to us on JO not be sent to JZ by his unit. All other info that you've sent us regarding security will not be shown to JZ.

On strengthening Tony's legend

Regarding queries from JZ re Tony's presence we suggest that unit says to JZ they've seen no sign of him. In a conversation with Masha he mentioned that Tony is in the SU in a sanatorium. Saw him there. We are working on our Fat Friend sending a message to Alphons reporting that Tony ready for operation but extremely delicate operation. Request Alphons to inform Elsa. Alphons will also inform certain members of the NEC.

On outstanding issues for congress

Will clear those for entry to Raymond's.

On radio transmitters

What is the progress?

On telex

Have given number to the office approx 2 weeks ago. Not sure if it was done before that. Will check.

On Aziz

1.. I've sent four letters (dated 6/3; 10/3; 11/3; and 18/3) to him informing him about external delegates and travel arrangements. One of the letters refers to internal delegate Farid. A photograph was also sent. Please confirm receipt.

MARCH 25

Received Saturday 25th March 1989

25.March:

1.. Am informed Kaiser made arrangements directly with your invitation plus ticket and travel arrangements and contact arrangements at Kathy's.

2.. You already have Marsha's travel plans.

3.. Plse arrange for entry clearance at Raymond's for Stanley Nkosi who will arrive on Sat. First April at 19h50 from Dicks. You will have to make arrangements to pick him up at the airport, ensure his security, accom and get a ticket under another name for his departure from Raymonds. Also look into the question of inserting entry and exit stamps on his travel document to account for where he went once he left Dick's. Still trying to get his travel document no. wh we will send asap. NB he has travel document not passport.

4.. Themba and his alternate Zakes do not have documents as yet. Still hoping that one of them will get it on time.

5.. Ken: To date the TS register shows we have used it for calls totaling about R250. So the guy is ripping us off. Suggest that the way to control this is that you only send money to him after checking with us. Shluss.

Received Saturday 25th March 1989

25.3

1.. Msg from Cosatu to Congress:

"General Secretary, SACP,

We have received your letter inviting us to send a fraternal message to you Seventh Party Congress. In doing so we salute the ………??????? both working class theory and the actual task of building and consolidating working class organisation.

The labour movement which today has emerged as an important weapon of working class struggle has been inspired by the contribution made by leading Party comrades such as J.B. Marks, Moses Madhida and Harry Gwala, amongst others. You meet at an exciting time – a time in which the racist regime is clearly floundering under the weight of united mass resistance. The regime's growing inability to give a coherent lead to its traditional social base is clear for all to see. The whole country is engulfed in an ever deepening political and economic crisis. Even its erstwhile imperialist allies who have underpinned it in the past, are finding it increasingly difficult to justify it any longer. This crisis is irreversible.

Our historic duty remains to strengthen mass organization on the ground so as to develop the capacity to surge forward. In doing so, the democratic movement has to forge a programme that overcomes our subjective weaknesses and takes along with it as wide a range of forces for change as is possible into a future in which they have an objective interest.

We are confident that your deliberations and conclusions will add to the momentum which brings us closer to our strategic objective of total liberation.

Fraternally,

(Signed) Jay Naidoo

General Secretary.

MARCH 26

Sunday 26th March 1989

Tony – comments on Program: Message One:

1.. Note: Have participated in discussions on Program in both C-Cs but in each case tried to play discussion facilitator role rather than to advance ideas I hold. Hence will not cover ground covered in the C-Cs. Also do not have time to deal exhaustively here.

2.. Re analytical part i.e. Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4 of program: Towards the end, p32 paragraph 3 "As the political vanguard of the working class…" special mention is made of certain social sectors that play an important role in our struggle etc. This then introduces the special subsections on women, youth and religious people. Now, I believe, we should have a special section on the intelligentsia. First because there is a developing intelligentsia among the oppressed, and to subsume them under 'middle strata' obscures the importance we should attach to them. Second, we should not allow this sector to develop on its own, rather we should draw it closer to us. It is a weakness (and….11characters bad data) that even theoretical writing re the struggle is dominated by white comrades and we have generated few blacks. The importance of this sector, both at this stage when we are struggling for power, and even more when we have to use power to build a new society is critical. I even think that some of the problems that arose in the history of the building of socialism can be traced to inadequate and at times incorrect policies re development of the intelligentsia. To make my point I would like to draw attention to certain parts of Ryszard Kapuscinski's little gem entitled "Shah of Shahs".

Another one coming.

MARCH 28

Sent Monday 27th March 1989

Message two of two.

Ryszard is talking about the Shah's boast to build a "Great Civilization" but even what he says in this context is telling. P57/8: "From a logical point of view, anyone who sets out to create a Great Civilization ought to begin with people, with training cadres of experts in order to form a native intelligentsia…An Iranian at home could not read the books of the country's best writers (because they came out only abroad), could not see the films of its outstanding directors (because they were not allowed to be shown in Iran), could not listen to the voices of its intellectuals (because they were condemned to silence). The Shah left the people a choice between Savak and the mullahs. When thinking about the fall of any dictatorship, one should have no illusions that the whole system comes to an end like a bad dream with that fall. The physical existence of the system does indeed cease. But its psychological and social results live on for years, and even survive in the form of subconsciously continued behaviour. A dictatorship that destroys the intelligentsia and culture leaves behind itself an empty, sour field on which the tree of thought won't grow quickly. It is not always the best people who emerge from hiding, from the corners and cracks of that farmed out field, but often those who have proven themselves strongest, not always those who will create new values but rather those whose thick skin and internal resilience have ensured their survival. In such circumstances history begins to turn in a tragic, vicious circle from which it can sometimes take a whole epoch to break free….." Now, colonialism in our country deliberately denied the oppressed a history and a culture, and when an intelligentsia began to develop within its educational system, it tried, first to develop it as apologists of colonialism, then to suppress it. Add the impact of commercialism etc and we can see why we have to give special treatment to this sector both for the present and the future.

3.. I want to concentrate the main burden of my comments on the section entitled "Path to Power" (Parenthetically, and not for Program Commission let me make the point that in discussions here it really hit me hard how thinking re strategic issues has subconsciously been confined to the outside, and even there we have been guilty of making it the preserve of a tiny handful. Witness how the Green Book never reached the membership outside, let alone our forces on the ground. Result : generally found here that attitude here has been "we are doing whatever we can at MDM level (even in this there has been a recent dearth of strategic thinking), and the issue of how to achieve power will be sorted out by Lusaka" and so hardly anyone has been reading on this issue, there is no debate, and when faced with the Programme they were open-mouthed and uncritically thought the section on Path to Power was brilliant!)

3.1. 'Path to Power' is well written and can overwhelm because of its style.

3.2. But it reads like a special pleader i.f.o. insurrection. A programme is not only a statement of Party position but should be a source for educating cadres and a constant reference point to assess where we are and where we are going, whether we are making progress, etc. As such, the fact that certain developments have been occurring which make insurrection a practical possibility needs special attention. Interestingly the 1962 referred to possibility of insurrection – which of course prompts the question, why was this issue not debated long ago, and debated in such a way that practical and concrete measures were taken in our work which would enable us to take advantage of situations which lent themselves to insurrection.

3.3. The main point here is that to be educative and emerge as a reference point programme should deal with strategy as developing (i.e. as a process). To do this there should be proper historical examination of our strategy. The document does this very weakly, and even so schematically and purely as a military matter. This is especially true of the four phases. Even if we look at the four phases as outlined, we duck the central question whether each of these were decided politically as a phase and with what objectives. The general tenor leaves one thinking that the leadership had a clear strategy from the outset.

In fact, if anyone had a strategy, it was confined to some group at the top. Even so, practice and theory were wide apart – even the phase c of doc and other parts referring to it read like from the textbook of loco theory! Now I think our history since resort to a strategy which included the armed struggle we made mistakes, learnt from them, came across problems, either overcame them or adapted our strategy to the nature of the problems. If the historical section is presented this way it becomes educative and helps us in the future. Remove the soap box aspects and cf 25th anniversary of MK statement to see my drift because this treats all the points raised in para 13 of doc but not as if we were aware of these special features ab initio. In this regard, even point made in para 13 re lack of rear bases is ahistorical – at the time we believed that independence was coming to neighbouring countries and this would give us rear bases and routes (and where we did not, then a la Operation Mayibuye, we'd be parachuted in!). This fundamentally ahistorical and (for brevity) militarist approach is best seen in the first sentence of para 21. This sentence contains a fact of what happened – but not true when it asserts that this was only way. Having decided on the armed struggle we conducted ourselves as if simply by that decision, that form of struggle was already the dominant form – and not that in the process of all-round struggle we wld reach a stage where in fact it would be the dominant form (in flat contradiction of the Le Duan quote).

3.4. If anybody reads the document the person is at a loss to find out what strategy have we been following to date. A number of concepts are thrown in into the document loosely (undefined), often in either/or contrast e.g. guerilla warfare, classical guerilla warfare, war of the whole people, revolutionary violence, armed struggle, armed tactic. I think the special pleader nature of the document blinds it to the need for setting out the overall political-military strategy of people's war which we adopted in the green book. There the definition is concise and precise in both political (orthodox) and military terms and what is more it gave special place to partial and general uprisings (insurrection). Now if a document addressing the path to power takes the green book position as a summary of current strategy and then within that context examines the growing potential for insurrection, we would be moving the debate in the correct direction and leaving ourselves open to learn from experience. But even the green book position developed over time and on the basis of lessons learnt from the previous periods e.g. the g/b spoke of the masses as the political revolutionary base for people's war in our context and this raises a concrete political agenda because the enduring people's militancy cannot be equated as our having transformed the masses into political revolutionary bases. What is more People's War allows for different weighting of the elements that constitute it and should not simplistically be defined as "a war of the whole people".

Sent Monday 27th March 1989

From Tony

1.. Regret I can't even contemplate re contents of 'Call' let alone find time to draft.

2.. Not sure if there will be many more messages. Have been trying to see Rogers for over a month without success. But will keep at it i.e. messages for Congress.

3.. You should now have my letter – please alter it as you see fit.

4.. Will get to work on African ID samples. Not sure if we have lineo purchase these here as yet.

5.. Will check whether JZ outfit has not already sent reports (we sent to you) to JZ already. My info leads me to believe 90% that the person who went to see JZ at Freddy's confirmed to JZ that Toby is here! Anyway, will check until I know for certain. Meanwhile bigger headache if it is true that JZ asked his man for confirmation, who else has he been asking and who else is he still likely to ask? In this regard, omitted to tell you that when we managed to get DM to confess, DM stated that Rachel insisted that DM reveal our identities.

6.. Re security info we sent I hope you have noted that somehow they are also accessing documents etc from Essop. In this regard, have just looked at arrangements for contact with delegates (bad data but probably reads something like: 'there are no codes so hope when') real time and date will be fixed on Aziz/Brian's phone, you have taken no account that these phones are tapped and either followed to venue e.g. the venue is not mentioned on phone. Hope they take precautions when going to venue.

7.. Has Elsa taken kids to Freddie's? I'm not sure who is looking after them? Cheers and off.

MARCH 29

Received Wednesday 29th March 1989

Wed 29.3

1.. As per previous advice Stan N will be arriving at Raymonds. Correction re his travel document – it is under the name Nqobizizwe Stanley Nkosi. Travel document number is Q900159 and what seems to be a bar code number on the travel doc is JJRO 179491.

2.. Ken – hope you have informed AP re arrival of Masha. He should be at Cathy's tomorrow morning and once he has checked in at hotel etc we can expect him to contact AP as per arrangements that you sent us. Pls advise once AP has made contact with him – as Masha is not at home at Cathy's plus edginess etc 'cos he is travelling with false p/port etc.

3.. News does not look good about 2nd delegate from Zola's. Both the 2nd delegate and alternate still have not received their travel docs. We are still pushing on this but I suggest that Raymonds make emergency arrangements for clearance of Thami Mhlomi and Kisa Dlamini,so that if either gets his doc we can push him off this weekend. Please get feedback from Raymonds whether Stan, Tham and Kisa are cleared.

4.. The word from Sello's is that Kaiser is making his own arrangements to arrive at Cathy's. Still have not got date of his departure – but am not unduly worried about this as I think he made arrangements directly when he last saw comrades. OK. Hope you guys have a productive Congress. Will continue with my installments as time permits. Ciao.

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