RIOTS IN DURBAN

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25713, 27 January 1949, Page 5

RIOTS IN DURBAN

GOVERNMENT SAID TO BE RESPONSIBLE

CHARGES BY INDIAN LEADER LONDON, January 25. The recent African attacks on Indians in Durban were deliberately instigated to weaken the growing unity between the two peoples which was dangerous to Dr. Malan’s Government, said Dr. Dadoo, president of the Transvaal Indian Congress, at a press conference to-day in London. “The riots were intended to create panic among Indian traders to make them feel that they were living in danger of their lives and want to go back to India—thus assisting the Government to carry out its policy of repatriation,” he said. “The hands of the Malan Government are stained with the blood of innocent men, women and children of Durban.

“The primary responsibility must rest sqyarely on the reactionary and Fascist Government of Dr. Malan. One cannot escape the conclusion that the outbreak bore the semblance of an organised attack and that it was premeditated, although something went wrong with the timing, that such events eminently suited the Government in order to weaken the growing opposition to the Government’s policy and that it may be used as a weapon to impose further restrictions and repression on the Indian and African peoples.”

The South African Government has appointed a commission to inquire into the recent riots. The Prime Minister (Dr Malan) said he expected the inquiry to begin He expressed grave concern at rumours that the Government of the Union had instigated the riots against the Indians. He gave the figures: killed, 137 (83 Africans, 53 Indians and 1 European); injured. 1883 (1085 Africans, 768 Indians and 30 Europeans). Reuter's correspondent in Cape Town reports that General Smuts moved a vote of no-confidence in the South African Government in the Assembly to-day, declaring that South Africa was faced with a grave economic position besides a racial situation of extreme gravity.