SOUTH AFRICA: SQUATTERS IN CAPE TOWN'S ST GEORGE'S CATHEDRAL VOW TO FAST UNTIL DEATH FOR LEGAL STATUS.

Record ID: 191323

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: SQUATTERS IN CAPE TOWN'S ST GEORGE'S CATHEDRAL VOW TO FAST UNTIL DEATH FOR LEGAL STATUS.
  • Date: 18th March 1982
  • Summary: 1. GV St Georges Cathedral, Cape Town 0.03 2. GV INTERIOR PAN FROM Cathedral's leadlight windows TO squatters 0.14 3. SV Young and old squatters sleeping on chairs (5 shots) 0.35 4. SV PAN FROM Window TO squatters singing hymn 0.48 5. SV PAN Men, women and children singing during Mass 1.05 6. CU Helen Suzman, MP, speaking 1.44 TRANSCRIPT FOR SHOT SIX: SUZMAN: "These people are part and parcel of this whole, illegal, so called squatter issue in the Western Cape. And unless the government is prepared basically to change its policy in that regard, his hands are tied." NEWSMAN: "It's been said that these squatters so-called are actually challenging the fundamental basis of apartheid. Why is that?" SUZMAN: "Well, it may be said ... I don't think they themselves realise the deep implications of what they are doing insofar as the wider aspects of apartheid are concerned. Their main concern is to get permission to stay in Cape Town, to take up jobs, and to live with their families and that I think is what motivates them." InitialsBB Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 2nd April 1982 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA74F60XXFLT7E4QBTPMXKB0I9D
  • Story Text: CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

    In South Africa, the 56 Nyanga squatters and their children who have been fasting for more than a week in Cape Town's St. George's Cathedral have gone under medical supervision. They took refuge in the Cathedral after spending "a year of hell" in the bush. The squatters who have become physically weaker, are taking vitamins and fruit juices. A doctor visits them every day, and at night they are watched over by members of the church. A statement issued after a meeting on Tuesday (16 March) between Church leaders and the minister of Co-operation and Development, Dr. Piet Koornhof, said that Mr. Koornhof had agreed to meet Church leaders again if the squatters vacate the cathedral. Opposition MP Mrs Helen Suzman, who visited the cathedral with five fellow-MPs has called on the government to grant a moratorium similar to one which three years ago 'legalised' the status of 84,000 black people living in urban areas. The squatters have threatened to fast until they die if they are not granted legal status to enable them to stay in the Western Cape.

    <strong>Source: REUTERS - MIKE GAVSHON</strong>
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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