South Africa

Press, 8 December 1988, Page 12

South Africa

Sir, —Today’s report on a South African massacre is a typical example of the standard of reporting from that country. It was rumoured over a year ago that the Zulus were going to form an impi (fighting regiment) to counter the terrorist activities of the A.N.C./U.D.F. Comrades. This rumour has subsequently been proved correct. The report, though, does not mention this fact, instead labelling it as just black-on-black violence. Many similar examples could be given of this type of dishonest reporting. Conversely, reports from Zimbabwe and other black-ruled, Marxist, one-party States seldom include criticism of those countries, although this could be put down to fear of imprisonment and torture as well as dishonest reporting.—Yours, etc.,

L. R. WILKINSON, December 5, 1988.

[Honest reporting, distinct from commentary, will not indulge in anonymous criticism.— Editor.]

Sir, —I suggest that S. Taylor (November 30) checks her facts. The initial constitution of Inkatha included numerous references to the institutions of KwaZulu and the Zulu language. To give expression to its non-racial claim, most of these were scrapped in 1979. The Zulu king was no longer automatically “patron in chief” and the central committee lost its “Zulus-only” qualification. The office of president remains linked to the office of Chief Minister of Kwazulu. Buthelezi is considered a traitor only by the Left wing. His willingness to work with the Government for the development of his people while opposing apartheid and refusing independence for KwaZulu has paid off. The most plausible and enlightened proposal yet for a political settlement came from the recent joint KwaZulu-Natal “Indaba.” For South Africa it is either negotiation or civil war. I repeat, blacks could paralyse the country overnight if they desired. — Yours, etc.,

lAN DIMBLEBY. December 5, 1988.

Sir,—lt matters not to me, and hopefully not to many, who is right about South Africa and elsewhere but what is right or wrong about South Africa and elsewhere; and how can we make it right for all and fair, too. Comparing South Africa, with its vast resources, with other countries does not, in my opinion, somehow make it right because others are wrong, or worse. My original question to L. R. Wilkinson remains unanswered. Why are he and others spending so much time and energy in defending a country that has perpetrated injustices as seen on television and as recorded by Amnesty International, which is unbiased, is apolitical and for which I have written letters to Communist as well as non-Com-munist countries. It was news to me that Zimbabwe had a Christian Government. —Yours, etc., G. H. BOSTON. December 5, 1988.