ANC Rallies Call for More Pressure if Goals Aren’t Met
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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — The African National Congress demanded an interim government Thursday in three rallies that drew 18,000 supporters, and it threatened to increase pressure if its demands are not met.
ANC leader Mac Maharaj told about 10,000 people in downtown Johannesburg, “We say to the government: ‘Stop stalling on negotiations!’ ” Maharaj said those who have presided over the apartheid system must not be allowed to oversee change.
The demonstrators then marched several blocks to City Hall and to a police station with a list of demands, which includes the release of all political prisoners. The ANC said if the demands were not met, a program of boycotts and rallies would be called.
In Pretoria, Winnie Mandela, the wife of ANC Deputy President Nelson Mandela, said that the peace process could be derailed if township violence is not stopped.
The 5,000 protesters marched to De Klerk’s offices and handed over a letter stating their demands.
Security was tight, with soldiers in riot gear and police dogs lining the route. At one point, three fighter jets flew overhead.
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