GOVERNMENT WARNED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27059, 19 April 1949, Page 5

GOVERNMENT WARNED

FURTHER RACE RIOTS EXPECTED AFRICANS AND INDIANS NZPA—Copyright CAPETOWN, Apl. 17. The Government commission which investigated last January’s race riots warned in a report to-day that Africans may again attack Indians to “square the account.” In Durban's two-day rioting, 142 died and 1087 were injured. The commission said: “Unless the position is carefully watched, and all exhibitions of public violence are firmly expressed, the natives may take another attack upon the Indians.” The report absolved the authorities from any blame for failing to prevent the initial outbreak, because the clash was totally unexpected. The report also absolved the police from allegations that they failed to repress the initial outbreak with vigour and had encouraged the rioters. The report listed among others believed to be the causes of the riots:—

1. The herding together in compounds of large numbers of male natives.

2. The unsettling influence upon the native mind of the press abroad, which is hostile to South Africa.

“ Contrary to the opinion prevailing abroad, the average native is a keen supporter of segregation. He realises that as yet he is ill-equipped in the fight for survival which has become so sharp in modern times; consequently, he demands residential, racial and economic segregation. “ The so-called native leaders who speak in a different voice are motivated by political ambition.”