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To: GUSTAVE JAEGER who wrote (13170)	6/30/1999 10:20:00 AM
From: goldsnow	Respond to of 17770

Kelly should take a rest in Israel or in Northern Ireland to see firsthand how hatred is preventing two different communities to mix with each other in the same neighborhoods --or perhaps he should travel across the U.S.A., in the segregationist South, back in the 1950s, that is!>>>>> I guess you have not traveled to the South in 1990's? Where did you get this implication that neighborehoods are no longer segregated? Have you heard about this new dilemma of Re-districting for the purpose of congressional elections? As for your assertion that reconciliation process takes TIME, I am sure you would agree that 600 years is enough of the test....<gg> The better question is when is the next battle?

To: GUSTAVE JAEGER who wrote (13170)	6/30/1999 10:27:00 AM
From: goldsnow	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 17770

South African races unite in vigilante war By Inigo Gilmore in Pretoria WHITE South Africans are flocking to a black-run vigilante group whose crime-fighting formula includes whipping suspects and dangling them before crocodiles. The leader of the organisation is Chief John Magolego, a black businessman from Northern province. He has been hailed by some as a messiah for his tough methods. But he now faces a murder trial after one punishment beating ended in death. Last week, Magolego travelled south to Pretoria to meet white members of the newest branch of his organisation, which calls itself Mapogo-a-Mathamaga, a name taken from a Sotho saying: "When a leopard is confronted by a tiger, it becomes a tiger itself." He strode briskly into a coffee shop in one of Pretoria's suburban malls, wearing an immaculate suit and flanked by bodyguards. "We are unique in South Africa because our organisation is run by black people - but whites want to join up," he said. "The people have confidence in us. These criminals know that if they cross us, we will work on their buttocks. They have come to understand that we will inflict pain on their bodies if they do not use their ears. If they tell terrible stories about Mapogo, I like it, because other criminals will fear us. Some are even running to the police for cover." Five Mapogo members, including one white man, are currently on trial in Mpumalanga province in connection with the torture of two suspects. They were dipped into a crocodile-infested river before being flogged and given electric shocks to their genitals for five days. In a country where vigilante groups are increasing in response to spiralling crime, such publicity has enhanced the organisation's reputation among many people. Mapogo has fast emerged as South Africa's largest vigilante group, growing from fewer than 100 members in 1996 to about 35,000 in 90 branches today. In Pretoria, Magolego has found an unlikely partner in Gayle Derby-Lewis. She is the wife of Clive Derby-Lewis, the former Right-wing MP who is serving a life term for planning the 1993 assassination of the Communist Party leader Chris Hani, whose death almost derailed talks to end apartheid. Three months ago, she co-founded Mapogo's Pretoria branch. She says white members are joining daily. "John is the right man at the right time and his colour is irrelevant," Mrs Derby-Lewis said. "Yes, this sort of vigilantism is unsavoury for European people, but they are not living here. You cannot deal with these criminals by taking statements." Among her latest recruits is Johan van Deventer, the owner of a cafe in Pretoria's upmarket Brooklyn district. Four weeks ago, he was held up at gunpoint by one of his workers and an accomplice, who emptied the safe. Since he erected a Mapogo sign in his cafe last week, Mr van Deventer says his awestruck workers have assured him that the notice will serve as an effective deterrent. "I was brought up in a very conservative Afrikaner family and we believed that only whites could run things efficiently," he said. "But these [Mapogo] guys know what they're doing, and they're well-connected in the community where the police's hands are tied. Crime is now so bad that white and black must work together. After my recent experience of being held up at gunpoint, my terror later turned to anger. For me, jungle justice is the only answer to this problem - an eye for an eye. I don't mind what they do to them, although I would stop short of murder." Mapogo's appeal is a reflection of the growing anger and frustration felt by many South Africans towards the failure of the authorities to tackle crime. Members of Mapogo pay an annual fee of up to £17 and are given emergency numbers of branch leaders whom they can call at any time. Taking part in beatings is optional, but all members are expected to come to the aid of others when called on. Once suspects are traced, they are usually beaten and then handed over to police. Next month, Magolego will go on trial with 12 others on murder and assault charges in connection with the beating of two suspects in 1996, one of whom later died. He said the two policemen who arrested him were later dismissed in connection with corrupt practices which his organisation exposed. As a result, some officers regarded Mapogo as a threat. Magolego, who does not seem too concerned about his forthcoming trial, said: "We had some criminals who died after being beaten, but we did not intend this." He also admitted that his vigilantes sometimes beat up the wrong people. But he added: "If white and black can join hands behind us, I think, within five years, it will be very rare to find places in South Africa where criminals are ruling." telegraph.co.uk