1990
January De Klerk says police will no longer have political role.
February Unbanning of political organisations and release of Nelson Mandela — Moratorium on executions — De Klerk assures those participating in apartheid political system that their 'place in the negotiations process is assured' — ANC decides to initiate talks on removal of remaining obstacles to climate for negotiations
March ANC and government officials meet to prepare for talks — Massacre of at least 16 people at Sebokeng leads ANC to postpone talks with government — Government renews annual ban on political gatherings — Military leaders take over Ciskei and Venda bantustans. Violent repression of resistance to bantustan authorities in Bophuthatswana and Gazankulu — Transvaal Provincial Administration assures township councillors of police support
April Councillors get 21 per cent pay increase — ANC, COSATU and SACP announce formal alliance
May First formal ANC-government meeting, resulting in Groote Schuur Minute. Working party established to define 'political offence'. Temporary immunity for people engaged in talks. Both sides committed to ending violence 'from whatever quarter'
June State of Emergency lifted except in Natal; expansion of police force announced — Increasing detentions of ANC members alleged to be involved in armed struggle — Government meets with those participating in apartheid political systems to discuss negotiations
July Violence linked to Kwazulu-bantustan spreads from Natal to the Witwatersrand — SACP relaunched
August Second ANC-government talks result in Pretoria Minute. ANC suspends armed struggle 'and related activities'; working group set up to deal with suspension. Definition of political offence accepted. Minute declares 'way is now open to proceed towards negotiations' — Second meeting between government and leaders of apartheid political structures — ANC Women's League relaunched — Protests against apartheid political system by Coloured community in Port Elizabeth met with violence
September 'Unrest Areas' declared under Public Safety Act — Minister of Law and Order says there have been 11,000 'unrest incidents' so far in 1990; more than total for last three years
October Government guidelines on pardon and indemnity formalise linkage between release of prisoners and reduction in military and mass action — Violent police attacks on township residents engaged in boycotts and protests — Resignation of leading African councillor, calling on others to resign — Heads of four non-'independent' bantustans agree to act as united force with ANC — ANC Youth League relaunched
November Minister of Law and Order says police have killed nearly 200 people during year — Half the local African councils not functioning due to resignations — ANC launches mass action campaign
December Labour Party congress rejects call for elected constituent assembly — ANC Consultative Conference endorses negotiations but calls for review if obstacles not removed by 30 April
1991
January ANC calls for convening of all party congress once obstacles are removed
February De Klerk announces scrapping of Group Areas and Land Acts and partial removal of population registration — Government and ANC reach agreement on suspension of armed struggle and right to mass action. Government undertakes to implement agreement on release of prisoners and return of exiles
