An interim government has been set up after the blooding and unopposed coup, led by Transkei Defence Force chief Major General Bantu Holomisa. Reports of a coup come in the wake of commissions of inquiry into alleged massive government corruption.
Transkei troops have put up roadblocks in an attempt to seal off the "homeland". Matanzima involved in a corruption probe, is believed to be hiding in Port Elizabeth. Among ministers under house arrest are Reverend GT Vika (deputy prime minister and minister of agriculture and forestry); Digby Koyana (justice and prisons); Tshepo Letlaka, (commerce); M Lujaba (interior, man-power utilisation and planning); S Xaba (transport); HB Tsengwa (local government and land tenure); MZ Ngceba (deputy minister of agriculture); WT Nomvalo (deputy minister of health).
The official, who refused to be named, said Transkeian troops had turned up at the ministers' homes on Wednesday night and forced them to sign resignation papers. "It looks as though the government has collapsed," he said. But Holomisa denied that the army was involved in a coup. "The road-blocks that we have set up are in anticipation of the anniversary of the death of Batandwa Ndondo (a student activist shot dead by Transkei police). "They (the roadblocks) are similar to the ones we set up on June 16 in anticipation of trouble."
By late last night top Transkeian government officials were locked in a meeting that lasted over six hours under President Tutor Ndamase. The delay in making an announcement was caused by Holomisa's refusal to head the interim government. The charismatic 31-year-old commander took over the armed forces from General Ron Reid-Daly and 27 former Selous Scout commandos.
Last night Holomisa said the ministers submitted their resignations voluntarily, adding that Matanzima is "on sick leave in Port Elizabeth".
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South African Minister of Foreign Affairs Pik Botha said last night that "as far as the South African government is concerned, nothing has happened to affect our bilateral relations", Sapa reports. The government had taken cognisance of Ndamase's statement that "there has been no coup in Transkei, that nobody has been detained, and that the country's government is continuing normally."
This article originally appeared in the Weekly Mail.
