PRETORIA : Hunger Pangs

The South African government faces a crisis this week over the deteriorating condition of three right-wing prison inmates who have been on a hunger strike for more than a month, demanding that they be released under the government’s indemnity program for political prisoners.

The three were due to stand trial in October for bombing a Pretoria taxi rank, injurying 13 blacks, and for planting a computer bomb that killed a Durban computer technician. All contend their crimes were political.

All three men are hospitalized in Pretoria, and one, Henry Martin, is listed in critical condition after going 50 days without food. The death of any of the three would focus further right-wing anger at President Frederik W. de Klerk’s government.