The process of dismantling the repressive apparatus of apartheid will weaken the coercive power essential to the maintenance of the system and open the way for the majority of South Africans to participate in the negotiation of a democratic constitution.
Insofar as this took place during the past year it resulted in a shift of political power towards the disenfranchised majority: to the extent that the repressive apparatus is still in place it remains a barrier to a climate for genuine negotiations.
The Harare and United Nations Declarations specified the obstacles to the free political activity which is essential if genuine negotiations are to take place between those representing the present order and those seeking political emancipation. These obstacles were: the release of political prisoners and detainees unconditionally and without restrictions; the lifting of all bans and proscriptions on people and organisations; the removal of troops from the townships; the lifting of the State of Emergency and the repeal of legislation designed to circumscribe political activity; and an end to political trials and executions.
The process of addressing these obstacles was initiated towards the end of 1989. In September the government allowed protest marches in city centres and in October it released eight leading political prisoners. It also took steps to facilitate Nelson Mandela's involvement in the political process even while he was still in prison. By December 1989 the ANC had effectively unbanned itself and was openly organising and convening meetings.
In January 1990 the State President told senior police officers that the police would be 'taken out' of the 'political battlefield' and that they would not be expected to suppress political protest.
In February, when opening parliament, De Klerk took the process further by announcing the unbanning of the ANC and all other banned organisations and the imminent release of Nelson Mandela. Most restrictions on individuals imposed under the Internal Security Act were lifted. The State of Emergency remained in place, but emergency restrictions on individuals and organisations were lifted, as were most of those regulating the dissemination of information and restricting activities in schools. A moratorium on all executions, including political executions, was announced, pending a review of the use of the death penalty.
However, beyond announcing its intention to review the laws on meetings, and to release the few political prisoners convicted solely of membership of the previously banned organisations, the government gave no indication that it would take any further steps to promote free political activity.
