STATEMENT ON BATTALION 32's RAMPAGE THROUGH PHOLA PARK

Battalion 32 is notorious for its barbarity against the inhabitants of Angola and Namibia.

The undeniable brutality experienced by scores of residents of Phola Park at the hands of 32 Battalion raises questions that require urgent responses.

1. Why has the South African government and the SADF retained 32 Battalion intact, when it is composed of Namibian and Angolan soldiers while the wars in those countries have ended?

2. What was 32 Battalion doing in Phola Park in the first place, apparently even without the knowledge of the South African Police?

It is precisely the continued deployment of foreign mercenaries, who see the people as their enemy, that reinforces distrust of the security forces and the impression that such forces bear much of the responsibility for the ongoing violence.

The ANC reiterates its demands that:

• All mercenary forces be confined to base during this transition period, pending their formal disbandment and return to their countries of origin.
• That covert activities of the SADF cease forthwith and personnel involved be confined to base. There must be a full public disclosure of which forces are confined and at what bases.
• That those soldiers involved in acts of violence, including murder, rape and beatings, against the people of Phola Park immediately be charged and court martialled.
• That the SADF bear full financial responsibility for the damage to life and property, and ensure compensation is paid to those who submit claims.
• The Minister of Defence respond to the above and outline what action will be taken to prevent a recurrence of such aggression against the people.

This incident underscores the need for a democratic national defence force, under a central command structure, that represents and is accountable to the people it is supposed to serve.

Issued by: Department of Information and Publicity
PO Box 61884
Marshalltown 2107
10 April, 1992