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 It is the product of almost two decades of research and includes analyses, chronologies, historical documents, and interviews from the apartheid and post-apartheid eras.

ANC NWC Meeting August 30

WORKING COMMITTEE MEETING 30/08/90

PRESENT :. J. Nhlanhla, J. Selebi, JJ, Siza, Manci, Dlamini, J. Molefe, JM(Chair) d Mzwai

APOLOGIES. T. Mokoena, Ruth Mompati, Sindiso, Nkobi, D. Tloome and A. Mongalo.

Briefing on Pretoria Meeting.

It was decided to J. Nhlanhla give the briefing.

The meeting considered:

1. The Groote Schuur Agreement and its implementation.

2. Violence in the country and what can be done about it.

3. Continuation of meetings.

Before the meeting NEC had considered issues such as armed struggle and decided to suspend armed actions and not armed struggle. And also that there was no question of cessation of hostilities. It was felt that the decision to suspend the armed actions would put the movement in a good light and win it added internal and international support.

At the meeting the regime sought to advise against mass actions arguing that such actions impeded the implementation of Groote Schuur. But our delegation insisted on the legitimacy of mass mobilization. In fact, the regime sought to reverse most of the agreements. The meeting agreed that a Joint Body be created to deal with the question of armed struggle suspension. ANC members of group : CH (Convenor), JM, TM, J. Zuma, Nhlanhla, Pallo and (a legal comrade still to be appointed).

J. Nhlanhla to submit to the Secretariat for circulation to NEC members the regime's document on their interpretation of the decision on armed struggle suspension.

In respect of Political Prisoners' Release, the position of the ANC was that all prisoners irrespective of the organisations to which they belong should be released. But apparently the formula "ANC related prisoners" in the Pretoria Minute was accepted by the delegation inadvertently.

The ANC had decided and recommended that armed related activities only meant non- infiltration of men and material and this was accepted. But the regime is seeking to misinterpret this decision.

In all the meetings that have taken place it seems the agreements do not cover Bantustans, e.g. Bophuthatswana. The ANC need to consider the question and put it to the regime, Working Group and leadership at home to take up the issue of Bophuthatswana where repression is rampant and if the regime says it's not covered then operations should be carried out in that area.

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