Farouk Chothia
THREATS that disgruntled Umkhonto weSizwe cadres will disrupt the ANC’s national conference in Bloemfontein later this month were made this week by Patrick Hlongwane of the Returned Exiles Committee.
Speaking from Ulundi, Hlongwane said he had suggested to MK deserters from the Wallmannstal army base that they visit the conference to present their grievances and demands to the ANC leadership.
Hlongwane said he had promised Natal-based MK deserters military assistance in order to make the government of national unity “unworkable” if the ANC refused their demands.
“If they (the MK deserters) want to hit the ANC, I’ll supply them with ammunition,” Hlongwane added.
According to reports last month, MK cadres from the PWV plan to disrupt the ANC’s national conference to protest against the “collusion” between former MK and National Party leaders to drive them out of the South African National Defence Force.
Hlongwane denied a report in the Weekly Mail & Guardian last week that 150 MK deserters are based in Ulundi, saying two Natal-based deserters had merely visited him last week seeking ways of improving their lot.
Well-placed sources are adamant that 150 MK deserters were holed up at the camp last week. They say Hlongwane hit flak from senior Inkatha Freedom Party leaders after the WM&G report was published.
Military instructor Philip Powell, the chairman of the IFP’s Defence Portfolio Committee, distanced himself from Hlongwane’s comments. “Hlongwane is living in a fantasy world,” said Powell, adding that violence was not in the IFP’s interests as it would hamper its ability to govern kwaZulu/Natal.
Powell said the IFP wanted Defence Minister Joe Modise to deal with the issue of disgruntled MK cadres “sensitively” and to “facilitate their reintegration into society as part of a demobilisation package”.