Army’s deployment into townships brings back memories. Not good ones.

By Alec Hogg

Hearing yesterday that the South African Army has been mobilised to assist the overwhelmed Police force brought back memories. Not good ones.

Thirty years back, the year PW Botha decided he wouldn’t cross the Rubicon, South Africa erupted. The “Groot Krokodil’s” disenfranchised opponents embarked on a strategy of making the country ungovernable. Thousands of civilians who had been mostly unwilling participants in the Apartheid State’s National Service policy, were now told to report for “township duty”. I was among them.

It was a confusing, terrifying time. Made so because the battle was between Impis of primarily young Zulu men who lived in single sex hostels and ANC-aligned “Comrades”. Those of us called into the cauldron had no idea what political levers were being pulled, or whether the killing was simply a settling of old scores. All we knew was our job was to keep the peace in a place where nobody wanted us around.

There are some obvious similarities with soldiers now being deployed into Alexandra township and around Durban, mostly the Police cannot cope with the xenophobic attacks. But the big difference, is this time the nation is united in wanting the Army’s intervention. Surely that’s progress?


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Comments from members of the BizNews community on today’s newsletter 

 

Good Morning BizNews

I agree with your closing words; that would be welcome progress.

But there is another angle and I wish the Media would recognise it.

I am a little older than you [75 this August 3rd next] and remember
where I stood just having taken my first two steps up the corporate
ladder in one go, when the day of June 16th 1976 dawned down the old
Commissioner Street CBD in Johannesburg.  I had been an adult life
long opponent of the old regime and would continue on that path until
1998 when Thabo and Old Nelson cured me of the liberal affliction.
That’s a long story.

I have since come to believe that we need law and order in this
society; nothing that we try will work without that awareness, and the
realisation that every single individual must be made to comply if he
doesn’t do so freely and of own volition.

IkeJ


Hi Alec,

I have this from a very interesting source that they had to do it. From an attorney friend of mine, I got this sms.

From 2 separate sources:

– One from the inner circles who was en route to Indonesia.

– Letter received on Thursday from Nigerian Government.

“We give you 48 hours to come up with a plan.

If not all SA companies e.g. MTN, Checkers, Standard Bank and others named, will be given 7 days to get out of Nigeria.”

“Trip to Indonesia cancelled and Goodwill summoned to come and see Zuma.

Hence SANDF called in early etc.”

So there is a lot more to this than meets the eye.

Best regards

Alfons Mauchle

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