The SWA Administrator General Dr. Gerrit Viljoen announced on 1 August that the elections for "second tier" ethnic authorities in Namibia would take place early in November 1980. A proclamation setting out dates for nominations and for the elections themselves would probably be issued in early September.
Viljoen said that the elections would be held over three day periods, but that only eight of the eleven tribal groups into which black Namibians are classified by the apartheid system would actually participate. The exceptions would be the Ovambos (comprising nearly half of Namibia's total population), Rehoboth Basters and Bushmen. Viljoen said he did not consider it advisable to hold an election in Ovamboland because the scale of military operations in northern Namibia "might lead to criticism that either direct or psychological influence had been exerted". In the case of Rehoboth, the existing national assembly had been elected only a year ago, while as far as the Bushmen were concerned, it had been decided that the appointment of a nominated body to look after their interests "should be taken further".
These tribal elections represent the second stage of South Africa's programme to implement its own constitutional solution or "internal settlement" in Namibia, derived from the bantustan blueprint first set out in the 1964 Odendaal Commission report. On 1 July, a number of constitutional developments were brought into effect at the national level by South Africa, as part of this plan. A "Council of Ministers", the equivalent of a Cabinet and comprising one representative of each of 11 black tribal groups under the chairmanship of the DTA leader Dirk Mudge, was inaugurated; the National Assembly of tribal representatives acquired certain executive powers; new constitutions for the "second tier" representative authorities came into effect; a separate public service commission set up within the territory began work; and penalties were introduced for racial discrimination in hotels, restaurants and cafes.
Also on 1 July, the SWA Administrator General announced the establishment of a separate defence department for Namibia. This new department came into operation on 1 August 1980, when more than 90 SADF units, headquarters, battalions, field regiments and area forces were transferred to the Namibian defence authorities. These, together with SWA defence units established previously under SA's programme for developing an indigenous Namibian Army, are now known as the "SWA/Namibian Territory Force".
Namibia's defences remain fully integrated with those of South Africa under these arrangements however:-
- the "SWA/Namibian Territory Force" remains part of the South African Defence Force until such time as Namibia becomes independent, and the SADF remains directly responsible for Namibia's defence and security.
- the officer commanding the SWA/Namibian Territory Force will also act as officer-in-charge of the SADF in Namibia.
- executive control over the SWA/Namibian Territory Force will rest with the Administrator General and the newly inaugurated Council of Ministers. The Council of Ministers has to be consulted about operations, particularly raids into neighbouring states. However, in matters concerning Operational Command, the officer commanding the Territory Force will be answerable to the chief of the SADF rather than the Administrator General.
- Overall planning and liaison between the SADF and SWA Defence authorities is the responsibility of a Joint Defence Committee.
The Council of Ministers, as the central authority in Namibia, is due to assume responsibility for the police force in the territory, with the exception of the Special Branch, at the beginning of September. The South African Police operating in Namibia currently fall under the jurisdiction of the SA Minister of Police. Plans for the establishment of an indigenous Namibian police force on the same lines as the SWA/Namibian army, are "well-advanced".
South African journalists who have recently visited northern Namibia have reported an intensification of military activity and a number of new developments in the SADF's security arrangements.
- SADF infantry patrols in Ovamboland, supported as necessary by riflemen on horseback, motorbicycle units or helicopter gunships, are said to have become "more aggressive". Patrols go inside kraals more frequently and entire areas may be cordoned off.
- The SADF concede that SWAPO guerrillas have shifted towards less risky operations and are having success in knocking out telephone poles, water pipelines, culverts, road bridges and electricity pylons. The underground power stations at Ruacana Falls on the Angolan border has not been able to supply electricity to the rest of the country since April, as every time pylons are repaired, others are blown up. New unspecified security measures are being introduced. Supplies from the power station at Rundu in the north east have also been disrupted.
- According to SADF sources SWAPO guerillas are now planting landmines up to 100 km inside Namibia, both in Ovamboland and Kaokoland. The tarred road north from the Oshivello gates to Ondangua has been frequently mined, for example, and normal traffic is by military-escorted convoy.
- Security force guards and escorts are regularly provided for townships, bantustan ministers and chiefs, government inoculation teams, schools and building inspectors and other officials.
- SADF personnel are increasingly taking over posts in the schools, medical and other public services in northern Namibia. This is in the first instance for security reasons but also reflects the failure of the apartheid system to promote trained personnel from among the indigenous population. There were only 40 matriculants in the whole of Ovamboland in 1979. Out of 2,000 teachers in the area, only 800 had standard 6 or 8, or two years teaching experience. Ovambo graduate teachers are almost non-existent. Six schools were forced to close during the year.
