“South Africa Being Prepared For War”

Press, Volume C, Issue 29499, 28 April 1961, Page 13

“South Africa Being Prepared For War”

(N .Z.P.A .•Reuter’—Copyright) CAPE TOWN, April 27. The chairman of the Progressive Party, Mr Harry Lawrence, last night challenged the Government to “come into the open” and explain why it was “taking steps to prepare South Africa for war.” Mr Lawrence, a former Defence Minister, speaking at a party meeting, was referring to yesterday’s Parliamentary announcement by the Defence Minister, Mr J. J. Fouche, of the strengthening of the defence force and the local manufacture of arms.

“Are they expecting a bloody revolution with violence and rioting?” Mr Lawrence asked. The Minister’s announcement "fills me with foreboding for the future." he said.

Mr Fouche had said that in view of a dual threat—of a black invasion from abroad and possible internal uprisings—the country’s white Army was being brought to “war strength,” the Associated Press reported He said the Army’s efficiency would be at a higher level than during either of the two World Wars Organised units would have weapons available for “instant action” Already civilian commandoes had been reorganised, permanent units had been increased in size and part-time units had been streamlined. Equipment of all forces had been modernised. the Minister said. Under “the new circumstances”—with “a real direct threat” from outside and the existence of internal danger —the staff of the Army Com-mandant-General had been considerably extended.

“The Times.” in London, said Mr Fouche announced that South Africa had acquired the option to manufacture the F.N. automatic rifle and that he was considering local manufacture of artillery ammunition and explosives.

In the past, when the role of South Africa’s forces was mainly to give support to its allies, the burden on planning and intelligence was not so heavy, since strategic decisions were taken by the allies, he said.

But it now was necessary to assume full responsibility

foe those duties in South Africa and the headquarters staff was being strengthened. Reuter reported that Mr Fouche said the Western Powers should realise that their influence in South Africa was slowly declining, and sooner or later they would have to call a halt to this process. If South Africa became a target for overwhelming Communist aggression and had to face this threat alone, the West would lose the strategic advantage of South Africa's geographical position and resources, he said.