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Low intensity Warfare in former Transkei
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Speeches and Media Releases
 Safety Liaison and Transport

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MEDIA RELEASE

18 JULY 1997

LOW INTENSITY WARFARE IN THE FORMER TRANSKEI


BISHO-18 JULY 1997: The Department for Safety and Security in the Eastern Cape is strongly convinced that the recent senseless killings of 
innocent civilians, including women and children, in the former Transkei is a declaration of a low intensity warfare that is being waged by 
"third force" elements to destabilise the area.

This comes in the wake of the coldblooded massacre of six innocent children by four men armed with R4 rifles and shotguns during a birthday 
party in the Qumbu district on Wednesday.

The Department does not entertain the baseless idea that this is part of the on-going stocktheft related violence in the area as it is 
clear that the children were the target in this attack. We therefore require a thorough police investigation into the massacre of the 
innocent children in the Qumbu district and expect a speedy arrest and prosecution of the murderers.

When the government decided to deploy additional police and army units in the Qumbu area, the objective was to ensure a high visibility of 
the presence of state security services to curb the violence while a long-term solution is being sought.

However, the continuing rise in the spate of violent killings recently has painted a clear picture to us that there is undoubtedly a 
sinister hand in the violence that needs to be unearthed and exposed.

The general crime trend in the former Transkei areas such as Qumbu, Tsolo, Lusikisiki, Mqanduli etc, has convinced us that a low intensity 
warfare similar to that in KwaZulu/Natal is beginning to manifest itself strongly. This requires drastic steps and a multi faceted approach 
by all state security services to expose the elements behind the senseless carnage in the area.

We cannot wait for more killings to continue before we are convinced that there is an organised, well orchestrated and systematic plan to 
destabilise so-called flashpoint areas in the former Transkei.

The writing is on the wall that we are being challenged to prove our commitment and willingness to stop this carnage and neutralise whoever 
is behind it before the situation gets out of hand.



THE END

NEER

MEC FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY: EASTERN CAPE

Please refer inquiries to the Public Relations Officer for the Department at the following telephone numbers: (0401) 992744/956 4177 during 
office hours.

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