5.3 Conflicts which threatened the negotiations
1992 Mid-1992: SA in difficult situation: Spirit of optimism and goodwill gone Violence increasing – fears of civil war
Growth in conservative support Opposition to De Klerk’s announcements Opposition to removal of last apartheid laws in 1990 / 1991 Concern over violence, exiles and communist participation in talks Concern over CODESA (“sell out of white interests”) Key seat captured in 1992 by-election
Referendum 1992: Government held referendum among white voters to gauge support for reform process: 70% voted for reforms Influence of sport and sanctions
Increasing violence
Boipathong massacre: June 1992 ANC supporters attacked by Inkatha supporters (helped by police) ANC broke off negotiations Rolling mass action and strike initiated International pressure on government increase
Boipatong
Causes of ANC / IFP violence Controversial Third force (no direct evidence) IFP excluded from major role in negotiations (dominated by ANC) Tension between hostel dwellers (migrants) and impoverished local residents Clashing ideologies and cultural groups
Bisho massacre: September 1992 Ciskei troops, plus SA soldiers, fired on ANC marchers ANC and government realized need to continue talks
Right-wing resistance: AWB (under Eugene Terreblanche) supported violent resistance to change: AWB attempt to sabotage talks unsuccessful
International concern Western governments put pressure on De Klerk UN sent observers to investigate violence
CODESA: process CODESA I (Dec. 1991 – May 1992) Referendum 1992 (to gauge white support) CODESA II ( May 1992) Negotiations broke down (June 1992) MPNF (April 1993) Sunset Clause (compromise)