Tutu Fasting; S. Africa Bans Some Meetings
Bishop Desmond Tutu, the country’s leading opponent of apartheid, began fasting today as the white-minority government broadened its powers and banned meetings that encourage workers to stay off their jobs.
Tutu, the winner of the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize, began the 24-hour fast to protest government troops aiding police in ending more than a year of black rioting against apartheid.
Tutu joined Harold Winkler, 21, a student at Johannesburg’s University of the Witwatersrand, who today entered his 11th day of a planned 21-day fast.
The black bishop and Winkler, who also wants the troops out of black townships, were conducting their fast inside the chapel at Khotso House in Johannesburg.
The new ban on gatherings appeared aimed at plans for a national day of prayer Oct. 9, called by leading foes of apartheid, including Tutu.
However, the order, issued by Minister of Law and Order Louis le Grange, did not name Tutu or the planned prayer gatherings.
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