The ANC, while welcoming these steps, noted their limitations and decided to initiate talks with the government on the removal of the remaining obstacles. During March, ANC and government officials met first in Geneva and then in South Africa to prepare the way for formal talks, and in particular to discuss whether ANC members engaged in talks would be given immunity from prosecution for previous illegal actions.
Police broke up many meetings celebrating the release of Nelson Mandela and the unbanning of the ANC and violently suppressed boycotts and protests in townships. This repressive response highlighted the extent to which the violent use of force by the state, and its failure to restrain unofficial armed groups, constituted an obstacle to further progress. The police massacre of at least 16 people in a peaceful protest about rents and service charges in Sebokeng in March led the ANC to postpone talks with the government scheduled for the beginning of April.
The delayed first formal meeting took place over three days at the beginning of May at Groote Schuur in Cape Town. The Groote Schuur Minute of 4 May which resulted from this meeting dealt with a number of obstacles. A working group was set up with the task of developing guidelines for the release of political prisoners and the return of exiles. The government would in the meantime consider the release of political prisoners convicted of leaving the country illegally or of belonging to a previously banned organisation. Temporary immunity from prosecution would be granted to ANC officials and anyone else returning to the country to take part in talks or to contribute to 'the process of seeking peaceful solutions'.
The government also undertook to review security legislation and the State of Emergency with a view to promoting free political activity.
The question of violence was prominent in the Groote Schuur Minute. Both sides committed themselves to work 'towards the resolution of the existing climate of violence and intimidation from whatever quarter'.
A few weeks after the Groote Schuur meeting, on 7 June, De Klerk announced that the State of Emergency would be lifted everywhere except in Natal. He simultaneously announced a strengthening of the police force in order to 'fill any vacuum' resulting from the lifting of the State of Emergency, and increased expenditure to allow the courts to deal with more trials.
Continued violent action by police in May led the ANC to threaten to withdraw from talks; further strains were brought about by the detention under the Internal Security Act of ANC members alleged to be involved in preparations for armed action. However, a second formal meeting took place in August.
