On 10 October the new Minister of Police and Prisons, Louis le Grange, delivered a strong attack on the South African Council of Churches and on "leftist ministers and spiritual leaders," and warned them to "desist from irresponsible actions and encouraging people to break the law."
He said among the activities of the churches that he considered were "propaganda actions" and which could be clearly identified were: * "Political detainees are being cared for and political trials are being financed * "Security legislation and actions to maintain security are being condemned. * "The channelling of funds from abroad is being undertaken and the funds used in a multitude of resistance movements."
Mr le Grange was speaking at a Kruger Day celebration in Potchefstroom. In his speech he also warned Chief Gatsha Buthelezi about the declared links between Inkatha and the ANC.
The attacks against legal defence in political trials come shortly after Shun Chetty fled South Africa, and could well herald intensified moves by the state to block funding for the defence of political trials. Among other "propaganda actions" le Grange "identified" were:- * conscientious objection to military service was being encouraged among whites * an anti-investment campaign was being cautiously propagated * the educational system for Africans was being rejected * the organisation of "campaigns against the demolition of squatter camps is being undertaken and then this is justified on Christian grounds." * certain church leaders and "leftist ministers" were trying to create "a climate of antipathy between the races." * at the recent annual meeting of the SACC, civil disobedience in respect of certain laws of the country was encouraged.
"This type of irresponsibility and encouragement to break the law cannot be allowed. The SACC and some of its individuals should bridle their sympathy with revolutionary actions otherwise they will in future have to accept co-responsibility for law-breakers who were encouraged by them to do so," Mr le Grange said.
On the question of Inkatha, he said: "While the ANC is planning a full-scale, violent revolutionary war against South Africa, it is disappointing to have read recently about a speech made by Chief Gatsha Buthelezi in which he declared that the ties between the ANC and his Inkatha movement have been strengthened.
"He must realise that you need a long spoon when you sup with the devil. He does not convince by trying to sit on two chairs. He may someday find himself flat on the ground between the two chairs," he said.
However, Mr le Grange said, the South African Communist Party remained "the country's biggest enemy." The SACP, he said, used the ANC to fight towards a social and cultural revolution. The SACP also manipulated various subversive organisations in the Republic to bring about an economic crisis and incited the class struggle to become a confrontation.
Furthermore it "regularly co-operated" with the Anti-Apartheid Movement abroad to encourage the sanctions against South Africa and to isolate South Africa from the outside world. (CT/RDM 11.10.79)
