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This resource is hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, but was compiled and authored by Padraig O’Malley. It is the product of almost two decades of research and includes analyses, chronologies, historical documents, and interviews from the apartheid and post-apartheid eras.

More charges against Malan

Mayibuye Volume 7 No. 2 - March 1996

Days before Magnus Malan's murder trial is due to begin, charges of a broader conspiracy to murder are brought against him and his co-accused, writes a correspondent.

The charges against former defence minister Magnus Malan and 19 others on trial for the 1987 KwaMakhutha massacre have broadened to include charges of conspiracy to murder members of the ANC, UDF and related organisations during the period from December 1985 to June 1989.

In providing the details of the alleged conspiracy, KwaZulu/Natal attorney general Tim McNally claims a meeting was held in Durban between Malan and IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi in March 1988, at which Buthelezi was allegedly cautioned by Malan as to the sensitivity of their relationship.

"Inkatha should not be linked to the South African government and he (Buthelezi) should not identify himself with the SA Government during overseas visits," the McNally's document says.

It also alleges that the payment of salaries by the defence force of "certain special constables", former covert operatives, was also discussed.

These charges further implicate Buthelezi in covert offensive para-military operations in KwaZulu/Natal. The initial indictment against Malan alleges that it was at Buthelezi's request that 200 IFP members were selected to undergo para-military training by the SADF in the Caprivi Strip.

At the time of Malan's indictment, in November last year, the ANC said: "What is clear from these allegations is that the KwaMakhutha massacre was not an isolated incident, but part of a broad offensive against communities in KwaZulu/Natal conducted by the IFP, with support of the former SADF and the National Party government."

The KwaMakhutha attack was allegedly carried out by a paramilitary force comprising Inkatha members and formed under the auspices of senior offices of the then SADF.

About 200 IFP supporters were allegedly trained by the SADF at a military base in the Caprivi Strip on the northern border of Namibia, then under South African occupation.

According to the indictment, IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi approached the SADF for assistance in October 1985 in getting "protection" for himself and his followers.

The indictment quotes an address given by Buthelezi to the KwaZulu Legislative Assembly in May 1984, where he calls for the KwaZulu police to have an operational military wing: "In fact, I believe that we must prepare ourselves not only to defend property and life, but to go beyond that and prepare ourselves to hit back with devastating force at those who destroy our property and kill us."

An "extraordinary" meeting of the State Security Council in Cape Town was subsequently convened where a mandate was given to an inter-departmental Head Committee to assist Buthelezi in the creation of a security force for the former Kwazulu bantustan.

This assistance allegedly came in the form of the training and support of the 'Caprivi 200'. According to the latest charges, the Caprivi 200 were allegedly involved in a broader conspiracy.

"The conspiracy involved the establishment of a paramilitary capability for Inkatha. This capability would initially comprise 200 men to be covertly trained by the SA Defence Force. From amongst these 200, a small full-time offensive element would be selected which would be covertly deployed against members of the ANC/UDF and related organisations," the document says.

According to the document the operation was to be closed down in June 1989.

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