The press release says the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has prepared a new proposal for spending $10 million appropriated by Congress last year to "support democracy in South Africa." Some members of Congress opposed USAID's original apportionment plan. The Washington Office on Africa has learned that USAID's new proposal includes $2.5 million for Chief M.G. Buthelezi's Inkatha Freedom Party, $4.5 million for the African National Congress, $1million for the South African Council of Churches, $1 million for the US Information Agency, and $1 million for the National Endowment for Democracy. Given Inkatha's central role in instigating and perpetuating political violence, the...
The press release says the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has prepared a new proposal for spending $10 million appropriated by Congress last year to "support democracy in South Africa." Some members of Congress opposed USAID's original apportionment plan. The Washington Office on Africa has learned that USAID's new proposal includes $2.5 million for Chief M.G. Buthelezi's Inkatha Freedom Party, $4.5 million for the African National Congress, $1million for the South African Council of Churches, $1 million for the US Information Agency, and $1 million for the National Endowment for Democracy. Given Inkatha's central role in instigating and perpetuating political violence, the Washington Office on Africa rejects the idea that aiding Inkatha could improve prospects for democracy in South Africa. A recent study by the Community Agency for Social Enquiry found that Inkatha has been reported as the aggressor in 66% of attributable incidents of violence in the Johannesburg area, compared to 6% for the ANC; there are similar findings in Natal. As the ruling party of the KwaZulu "homeland," Inkatha has used its control of jobs and public resources to recruit members and punish opponents. Also, this proposal comes after revelations of more than $610,000 in covert South African government support to Inkatha and its affiliated labor organization over the past five years. The money came from a "Secret Services" slush fund used to finance "dirty tricks" against its political opponents. Press reports have also offered evidence that the South African military has deliberately used Inkatha to escalate the conflict in Black townships. Last year, the Weekly Mail reported that the SADF ran a camp in Namibia's Caprivi Strip, which it used to train Inkatha members in the use of AK-47s, rocket launchers, and submachine guns. Township residents have repeatedly accused security forces of failing to prevent - or actively encouraging - Inkatha attacks.
