Dispute In S. Africa

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31774, 3 September 1968, Page 15

Dispute In S. Africa

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright/ JOHANNESBURG, Sept. 2. The controversy over alleged slurs against South African Jews revolved today round a newly-appointed Cabinet Minister.

The Minister of Police and Internal Affairs (Mr S. Lourens Muller) contended that reports of a speech he made last Wednesday about the recent student unrest in South Africa were distorted. But Mr Muller added fuel to the dispute by saying, in explanation, that some of his best friends were Jewish. The Opposition United Party Leader (Sir de Villiers Graaf) demanded that the Prime Minister (Mr Balthazar

Vorster) should account for Mr Muller’s “attack on the South African Jews,” but so far Mr Vorster has made no comment.

The Progressive Party leader (Mr Jan Steytler) condemned Mr Muller’s remarks as “blatant anti-Semitism.” Some students at the Witwatersrand University, in Johannesburg, wore small yellow stars lettered “Jude” at their classes on Friday. Similar stars were worn by European Jewry during Nazi persecution.

In his controversial speech, Mr Muller issued a warning that student unrest would not be tolerated in South Africa. A fortnight before, students had demonstrated in both Cape Town and Johannesburg over the rejection by the Government of the appointment of a black lecturer at the University of Cape Town. In his speech, Mr Muller

singled out Jewish students as the leaders of the demonstrations, and said: “It is high time that the Jewish community took a firm stand and influenced their minors to respect the State.” He said also that most of the Communists listed in South Africa came from the Jewish community. The Communist Party was banned in South Africa in 1950.

The South African Jewish Board of Deputies says in a statement that Mr Muller’s remark will “further antiSemitism, albeit unwittingly.” The Minister, who was promoted to Cabinet rank last month, was further criticised today from pulpit and press. The “Sunday Express” said: “Mr Muller does not seem to be aware that the protestation of friendship for a few Jews has always been the mark of the’anti-Semite.”