'Enemy agents' - A reply to Gwede Mantashe

In a country of Big Men, it is unpleasant not to be given the opportunity to reply - in the biggest selling newspaper - to a personal critique by one of the biggest of the Big Men.

Of course it was normal under apartheid, when bannings and censorship were the rule.

The article below was sent to the Sunday Times by email on 13 December, the day it published a critique of my writing, written by Gwede Mantashe, the secretary-general of the governing African National Congress and chairman also of the South African Communist Party: one of the biggest of the Big Men in the country. Mr Mantashe's article was full of errors. Some were pointed out in a letter by another person, "ANC 'judge and jury' in its crimes", that was indeed published in last week's issue of the Sunday Times (20 December).

But. although my name appears for criticism 16 times in Mr Mantashe's article, I was not permitted a reply of my own.

It is a bizarre state of affairs, in a country supposedly dedicated to a notion of equity.

On this difference of opinion between Mr Mantashe and me, readers of Politicsweb - though not of the Sunday Times - may judge for themselves. 

Mr Mantashe has unfortunately proved my case.

.....

I'm grateful to Gwede Mantashe, secretary-general of the ANC and chairperson of the SACP, for the thoughtful and considered way in which he replied ('ANC did not suppress facts', 13 December) to the article published under my name the previous week ('A shameful chapter', 6 December).

The flaw in his argument lies in the following statement in his reply: 

'If one were to follow the logic of the Trewhela article, being an enemy agent in an ANC camp, deliberately poisoning the trainees in that camp, plotting the assassination of comrades and leaders, sabotaging equipment so that it killed or maimed those who used it, concocting false accusations that cast honest comrades as suspects, and causing general mayhem, were not cause for concern.'

Mr Mantashe is making a dangerous confusion here - between the relation of the ANC in exile towards spies ('an enemy agent') and its suppression of democratic debate among its own members.

Every word in my article 'A shameful chapter' came from one of the most important first-hand documents of South African history of the past 25 years. This is a historical account written by five former members of Umkhonto weSizwe, which I had the honour to publish nearly 20 years ago in a banned exile magazine, Searchlight South Africa, in July 1990. It was titled 'A Miscarriage of Democracy: The ANC Security Department in the 1984 Mutiny in Umkhonto weSizwe'.

The fact that Searchlight South Africa remained banned in South Africa - even after the unbanning of the ANC, the SACP and the PAC - meant that members of the public had no proper opportunity to read this document, until now.

After nearly 20 years, however, anyone can now read this remarkable and truthful article for themselves, and reach their own conclusions, in freedom, following its publication in my book, Inside Quatro: Uncovering the Exile History of the ANC and SWAPO (Jacana Media, 2009).

I take full responsibility for having sought it for publication from its authors in April 1990, for publishing it again last October in Inside Quatro, and for the excerpts published in the Sunday Times under my name on 6 December.

I did so precisely because of the dangerous confusion in Mr Mantashe's statement, quoted above.

The five authors were not 'enemy agents.'

That was a term used by the authorities in the ANC in exile not only appropriately against the very real spies that were sent by the apartheid regime into its camps in order to destroy the organisation - a fact I have never denied, and which the authors of the article not only did not deny but sought to have much more rigorously investigated.

That term 'enemy agent' was also used, however, in a massive, and illegitimate, way to suppress democratic debate. In that use, it was an untruth, and a cover for committing terrible cruelties.

It is the misuse of this term that I contest.

The five authors whose words appeared in the Sunday Times under my name were among the overwhelming majority of the ANC's trained troops in Angola who sought three big changes in ANC practice at a mass meeting held at Viana camp outside Luanda in February 1984.

These three demands were for:

• A democratically elected national conference of the ANC. The last one had been held 15 years previously, at Mororogo in 1969. By 1984 the great majority in Umkhonto weSizwe, from the generation of the 1976 students' uprising, still remained unrepresented in the ANC leadership.

• To be sent back to South Africa to fight. By 1984, the great majority of ANC troops felt that their lives were being wasted in the civil war in Angola. This was a most exceptional mutiny, in which the mutineers demanded to be sent to the front - and not to be demobilised, or kept idle, or squandered in the rear.

• For the suspension and investigation of the ANC's Security Department, iMbokodo ('the grindstone'). This was for two reasons. Firstly, because of its cruelties, which were acknowledged by the report of the Stuart commission, drawn up  after the mutiny in 1984 (though kept secret by the leadership until 1993). Secondly, because the troops believed - with justification, in my opinion - that iMbokodo had been infiltrated right up to the top by agents of the apartheid regime, thus severely demobilising the struggle.

This final point continues to plague the history of MK - witness the authoritative account by Thula Bopela and Daluxolo Luthuli in their first-hand, autobiographical history, Umkhonto we Sizwe: Fighting for a Divided People (Galago, Alberton, 2005), where they state that major allegations concerning Joe Modise, the late MK commander and subsequent Defence Minister, going back as early as 1963, were "apparently never investigated by the National Executive Committee". (p.40)

Mr Bopela, in particular, is a highly respected veteran from the Luthuli Detachment who fought in the Wankie campaign in 1967. Prior to the election period he was the head of ANC security management at Parliament, and during the election period he was a member of the Media and Communications Team in the ANC Johannesburg region.

These matters of ANC history are still, as he writes, uninvestigated. But they had a terrible effect in exile.

The mutineers elected a Committee of Ten to represent these issues in discussion with the ANC leadership. Its response was to call up the Angolan Presidential Guard to surround the mutineers, and threaten a massacre. Members of the Committee of Ten then peacefully averted a massacre by persuading the mutineers to disarm themselves.

What followed was arrest by iMbokodo of the Committee and other mutineers, their torture in Luanda State Security Prison, transfer to the dreaded Quatro prison camp, systemic abuse by brutalised guards for over four years, and the death by cruelty and neglect of several of their comrades.

When veterans of the mutiny and Quatro were released and transferred to Dakawa camp in Tanzania in 1989, following the disbandment of the ANC presence in Angola under the Crocker accords, they were permitted to take a full part in the life of the exiles. In September 1989 their energy and integrity persuaded ANC members to elect them democratically to the topmost elected positions in Tanzania.

The NEC then dissolved these democratically-elected commmittees, sending Chris Hani and Stanley Mabizela from Lusaka to impose its will, only weeks before the unbanning of the ANC and the release of Emeritus President Mandela.

This resulted in the flight to Nairobi of the five men, whose words - which appeared under my name in the Sunday Times - are contested by Mr Mantashe.

They were there. He was not.

These issues, and the misuse of that term, 'enemy agent', continue to remain central in the still new democracy in South Africa.

The greater clarity, and the more discussion and debate, the better.

*Paul Trewhela is the author of Inside Quatro: Uncovering the exile history of the ANC and SWAPO, which was published by Jacana Media in October this year.

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responses to this article

Trewhela article The plot thickens. I am uncertain as to why the above reply was not published in the Times - hopefully there is a reasonable explanation. I am greatful, in the meantime, that the article has been mde accessible through the present forum. Surely . .more Trewhela's viewpoint deserves, at least, to be heard. . .less by CM on December 21 2009, 09:36 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Rude Awakening for the nonchalant. I trusted ANC until I read you were ex-ANC. Eureka with Vula expose. Write books for posterity. Soon you will (as I) be blacklisted. This is one of two forums I have a voice. by old, female, paleface on December 21 2009, 10:29 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Ombudsman If the Sunday Times is indeed contemptuous of the SA Press Code, take them to the Press Ombudsman: telephone 011 484 3612/8; fax 011 484 3619 and e-mail ombudsman@presscouncil.org.za by Pieter Schoombee on December 21 2009, 11:21 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Pearls to Swine my bro! Its the same stuff Paul ---- nuance this a little! by selcoolie on December 21 2009, 13:50 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

In an argument between Paul Trewhela and Gwede Mantashe..... I know who I woudl believe. Trewhela any day of the week. by Alto on December 21 2009, 14:03 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

I suppose that the truth will ultimtely surface I'm confused. Is this Gwede Mantashe yet another rotten egg? by Wendo on December 21 2009, 21:03 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Paul Trewhela and his nest of treacherous agents So then, Trewhela & the five agents were all ANC cadres and are loyal South Africans. But surely this is an oximoron? Not really. If the BIG MEN of the "liberated" region (ANC, SWAPO, ZANU, FRELIMO, ETC) have opinions different to the truth or . .more simply do not like the truth, then the bearers & witnesses are the liars; these counter-revolutionaries, even "enemy agents".... if they are white, it makes it even easier to denounce them. You see when SADCC liberators play this card, it is because they have no other. The one sided white-wash liberation history has already been written; the books are closed. Anyone, now trying to slip any truth in will be denounced accordingly, for it is unwelcome when different to the "official" & "cleansed" versions. The closer to revealing the truth of evil & criminal conduct then or now, the louder the denouncement. You might discount the Trewhela record because of his pro ANC politics and historic association & support of the struggle. But as he is being denounced by the likes of Gwede Mantashe, then the ANC have effectively signalled that Paul Trewhela's writings are to be taken extremely seriously. John Austin (former Head Harare Customs & Excise) Chikurubi Detainee 12986-1988 (so-called SA spy) The Editor, The Star May 1999 has my recorded & written story, but chose not to publish . .less by John V Austin on December 22 2009, 04:43 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

times change @ John V.......given the changed circumstances and increasing desire for a more complete recount of events, why not try again by citizen on December 22 2009, 06:03 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Yebo YES! "But as he is being denounced by the likes of Gwede Mantashe, then the ANC have effectively signalled that Paul Trewhela's writings are to be taken extremely seriously." Merry Christmas ALL! by Dr Selim Y Gool on December 22 2009, 10:27 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Pro-ANC anti-YellowCommunist Casualties of war. The war on apartheid was an intensive battle, one in which trust was not freely awarded, even amongst comrades. Misinformation, was rife, the truth was out there but who had it remained the question. The NEC arent GOD, the decisions . .more they made left a lot to be desired, but im glad they did take the decisions they did when they did, because today i can post my views, without fear of being traumatized, from the air conditioned office i share with my fellow Caucasian colleagues. quote:To be sent back to South Africa to fight. By 1984, the great majority of ANC troops felt that their lives were being wasted in the civil war in Angola. Civil war. I dont think that is what you critics and cynics would have preferred to transpire post 94. The NEC chose to make a difficult decision in which they sacrificed, a few to spare the lot of an entire people, which WAR does not have casualties. . .less by Viva South Africa on December 22 2009, 11:44 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Pro Anc antiYellow Communists and cynics/sceptics Casualties of war. The war on apartheid was an intensive battle, one in which trust was not freely awarded, even amongst comrades. Misinformation, was rife, the truth was out there but who had it remained the question. The NEC arent GOD, the decisions . .more they made left a lot to be desired, but im glad they did take the decisions they did when they did, because today i can post my views, without fear of being traumatized, from the air conditioned office i share with my fellow Caucasian colleagues. quote:To be sent back to South Africa to fight. By 1984, the great majority of ANC troops felt that their lives were being wasted in the civil war in Angola. Civil war. I dont think that is what you critics and cynics would have preferred to transpire post 94. The NEC chose to make a difficult decision in which they sacrificed, a few to spare the lot of an entire people, which WAR does not have casualties. . .less by Viva newRSA on December 22 2009, 11:45 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@ Viva newRSA #Pro ANC antiYellowCommunists and cynics/sceptics#. But not pro the truth. by Clio on December 22 2009, 13:55 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Pro ANC anti everything else........... on Trewhela etcetera postings Although your comment is double posted (to be sure, to be sure, Paddy), I am not sure what point it is that you are failing to make. Of course WAR has casualties, but I don't believe that is the issue nor debate here. Abuse of human rights, . .more criminal behaviour, drug running, murder, genociding your own comrades or anyone elses, are still evil crimes for what they are. WAR doesn't make wrong right, nor criminal activity legitimate business, nor lies truth, nor murder, rape & evil good. Folk who fly flags for the opposite understanding simply expose their lack of legitimacy due to an absence or silencing of their own consciences to stand up for what is right against what is wrong... what is good against what is evil. Embarrassing as it might be, when these things are exposed in places like Iraq etcetera they are investigated and dealt with..... and miscreants punished (not made CEO's, Cabinet Ministers, and Presidents). These issues need to be looked into and dealt with coolly & rationally and, above all, apolitically. First, the honest facts - all of them - then the consequences can be dealt with & remedies addressed. Shooting & denouncing honest messengers might look like a quick expedient fix but, really, is no fix at all. John V Austin (LONDON) CG (Chikurubi Graduate . .less by John V Austin (the Chikurubi graduate) on December 22 2009, 15:08 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Pro Anc antiYellow Communists and cynics/sceptics Casualties of war. The war on apartheid was an intensive battle, one in which trust was not freely awarded, even amongst comrades. Misinformation, was rife, the truth was out there but who had it remained the question. The NEC arent GOD, the decisions . .more they made left a lot to be desired, but im glad they did take the decisions they did when they did, because today i can post my views, without fear of being traumatized, from the air conditioned office i share with my fellow Caucasian colleagues. quote:To be sent back to South Africa to fight. By 1984, the great majority of ANC troops felt that their lives were being wasted in the civil war in Angola. Civil war. I dont think that is what you critics and cynics would have preferred to transpire post 94. The NEC chose to make a difficult decision in which they sacrificed, a few to spare the lot of an entire people, which WAR does not have casualties. . .less by Viva newRSA on December 22 2009, 15:11 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Pro ANC anti..... etcetera "Viva newRSA", you seem to have graduated from the school of "They'll believe anything if you repeat it loud and often enough". It's quite an old school and the deficient curriculum seems totally unaffected by the 21st century. What a shame..... aluta . .more continua, siggghhhh :) :) The Chikurubi Graduate :) . .less by John V (CG), London on December 22 2009, 21:53 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Integrity It's interesting to observe thet, had those who now seek to discredit exposes such as that above, behaved with honesty and integrity over the 15 years of ANC rule in SA, one might have believed that they were not capable of the terror they unleashed on . .more their questioning colleagues. However, Mantashe et al have demonstarted, over and over, that they are at best power hungry and greedy, at worst, racist, venal and dishonest, uncaring about the plight of poor South Africans and the development of the country. On this alone, I would tend to believe the Trewhela thread. . .less by Amos on December 23 2009, 07:41 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Due Process One angle on this saga is that it signals the absence of a culture of due process, in SA society in general and in the ANC specifically. If an accuser is part of the "in" group, and violation of the group's holy cows is alleged, the accused is all too . .more often considered guilty "a priori". In this case the added element of infiltration of the higher levels of command in the ANC, and the danger posed to such infiltrators if transparency was established, added to the witch-hunt. . .less by Michael Graaf on December 31 2009, 17:19 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

supporting gwede mantashe the guy is a role model of me.gwede knows his work i hope he will remain in his position 2012 im not impress in the anc when they figgt for each others positions. by isaac shoes obuseng on January 04 2010, 12:06 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

proud of gwede mantashe gwede is a loyal comrade he loves the anc with his whole hearth thats why i admire the guy.i just hope that he wil remain in his position 2012.viva gwede mantashe viva. by sharona sprinbok on January 04 2010, 12:10 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Investigative journalist vs Miner politician Gwede Mantashe is not the credible and authoritative antagonist of Trhewela claims, which date back in the 60 s while he was still a miner. That is always the problem with genetically modified politicians like Gwede, unsubstantiated claims. Mantashe . .more was addressing Chris Hani Memorial lecture in Gugulethu after Pholokwane conference and a former Umkhonto Wesizwe cadre, his comrade who was sitted infornt asked and wanted to enquire where does Gwede come from to come and address them with issues of exile and Chris he was a blank about, he was booed and intimidated to silence and Mantashe did not respond. Trewelha, you are going to follow suit. . .less by SIMPHIWE on January 07 2010, 11:44 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Its going to take.... ...another generation before the ANC can rid themselves of all the baggage they're carrying along. Their only saving grace is that their electorate doesn't give a hoot about what they did or do. Hopefully before then we can have political party without . .more all the typical "kwasi-soldiers-turned -politician- baggage" Something like the Green Party perhaps. . .less by Shmocracy on January 09 2010, 14:27 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

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