SA 'sliding down the hill', Hurd says
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.DOUGLAS HURD, the Foreign Secretary, said last night that the South African government must 'get a grip' on the troops of Ciskei and other homelands. 'There is agreement on how the violence should be handled,' he said. 'That process has got to be extended to the homelands, otherwise the violence will spill over to these areas. It is necessary that they get back round the negotiating table. South Africa is sliding down the hill and only a negotiated settlement can prevent that.'
Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, condemned the killings as 'horrific and wholly unjustified'. He added: 'As long as bloodshed and violence poison the process of political dialogue and negotiation, there can be no peaceful solution . . . this (massacre) gives added urgency to the proposals by the international community, including the Commonwealth, to assist by deploying observers who can help bring to an end this senseless cycle of violence.'
The South African Foreign Minister, Pik Botha, laying the blame on hardliners in the South African Communist Party, said: 'They wanted people to be shot. It's impossible to negotiate because they don't stick to agreements . . . they are interested in only one thing - to reach their objective without negotiation.'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments