A First Step Toward an End to the Killing : De Klerk cashiers the military for trying to stymie reform

Human-rights activists and many black leaders have long suspected the white military of obstructing progress in South Africa. An internal investigation, ordered by President Frederik W. de Klerk, has now proved those charges--and allowed the removal of a major obstacle to democracy.

In an admission that stunned whites in a nation still racially divided, De Klerk conceded that senior military intelligence officers plotted to stymie the ongoing reform and undermine Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress.

In an attempt to clean house, De Klerk quickly fired two generals, four brigadiers and 10 other military personnel. Another seven soldiers were placed on leave pending further investigation. But what exactly did the fired and suspended officers do?

De Klerk has revealed few specifics of the covert military operations and other illegal activities. He indicated, however, that the obstructions included “political murders.” Who were the murderers? And who was assassinated in the name of apartheid?

The military has traditionally played a central role in South Africa. Fierce security forces have used bullets, beatings and other measures to squelch anti-apartheid actions, and to keep order as they know it. So it should come as no surprise to De Klerk or anyone else that some officers have aggressively resisted changing a status quo that has guaranteed whites power and privilege for decades.

The allegations are not new. For years, human-rights activists and the ANC have charged the state police with complicity in the township violence. They have long suspected the military of siding with the Zulu-based Inkatha Freedom Political Party in its war against supporters of the more prominent African National Congress; the government last year was discovered to have secretly funneled $600,000 to Inkatha. The fighting also has been fueled in part by the ambitions of Zulu Chief Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi.

Buthelezi has made no secret of the powerful role he wishes to play in the future of South Africa--in spite of the much greater popularity among the black majority of the more statesmanlike Mandela.

The factional fighting, which began in the rural areas and spread to the townships, has left more than 6,000 dead. How many men, women and children died because of actions by the military?

The judge who is investigating the causes of that factional fighting revealed last month that the military intelligence used a convicted murderer to undermine the ANC. Those charges prompted the inquiry that led De Klerk to fire or suspend the 23 senior officers.

In a move that may have been a concession to the ANC, De Klerk acted quickly when confronted with the evidence of illegality by members of his armed forces. But it’s too bad that he didn’t act sooner to remove the cancer in the security forces. No civilian president can tolerate illegal activity by the armed forces.

The new South Africa will require a fully integrated military, totally committed to change and firmly accountable to the new president. There can be no compromise on that as De Klerk proceeds haltingly to share power with the black majority.