South Africa: Trying to Break the Hammerlock

Violence continued at home and diplomatic pressure from abroad accelerated last week as South Africa entered the third week of its state of emergency, the most severe crackdown by the country's white minority government against the black majority in 25 years. As the number of blacks detained without charge passed 1,300 and the death toll in the black townships reached 24, the government banned the holding of mass outdoor funerals in some areas. The services had become the focal point of black grief and outrage. Anglican Bishop Desmond Tutu, the 1984 Nobel laureate who has emerged as the leading voice of moderate black protest against apartheid, conducted an outdoor funeral service beyond the restricted area, declaring that "I will not be told by any secular authority what gospel I must preach."

In the meantime, eleven more West European nations and Australia announced that they were withdrawing their ambassadors from Pretoria for "consultations." And in Washington, Congress took its toughest position yet against South Africa's racial policies. Late in the week the House of Representatives voted 380 to 48 for a package of economic sanctions to be imposed against South Africa, but the Senate delayed action until September after opponents of the bill threatened a filibuster to defeat it.

The week had started in South Africa on a somewhat hopeful note, when Bishop Tutu requested a meeting with State President P.W. Botha. Almost immediately Botha replied that he was too busy to see Tutu privately and suggested that the bishop might be included in a group of church leaders who would be calling on him on Aug. 19. Translation: the Botha government considers Tutu an enemy and is not prepared to grant him any special recognition as the leading emissary of the black community. "By requesting talks with the State President, I am putting my credibility on the line," replied Tutu angrily. "I am exposing myself to criticism. Our situation is desperately serious, and I had hoped for statesmanship from the State President and not the scoring of political points." Said the Daily Sowetan, the country's major black daily newspaper: "The man in the street will say that this is clear proof that the government is in no way prepared to speak to black leaders with credibility."

The government ban on mass funerals for the victims of violence in the 36 districts where the emergency laws are in effect was a sharp blow to blacks, who have been barred from holding political meetings of any kind. The funerals have been drawing as many as 50,000 mourners. In the future, the government decreed, a funeral can be held only indoors and for no more than one victim. Moreover, it may be conducted only by an ordained minister, who must not refer in any way to political systems, governments, boycotts, states of emergency or any action by the police or security forces. The use of public address systems was banned, along with the display of flags, banners, placards, pamphlets and posters. Those attending a funeral must travel to and from the service by car or bus, not on foot, and must use a route designated by police.