Sir: Stephen Robinson makes some perceptive points and presents an
interest- ing point of view in his article on South Africa (27 July). Unfortunately some of his supporting facts are wrong. Business Day did not argue that President Botha's emergency measures were insufficient and that the army should be sent in to 'rub along with the black community leaders'. It is so far from what Business Day did argue that I can only suspect that Robinson is being mischievous. It argued that in the peculiar circumstances of this country, the army would be a more humane and effi- cient peace-keeping force than the police, the veracity of which is suspect.
There are more liberal-minded men among the national servicemen than among policemen, many of whom arc supporters of the extreme right-wing white parties. The police force has for 30 years been the repository of whites who would not find employment in such shelters as the railways or post office. Township dwellers say the police are often provocative and their indiscipline has been demonstrated. By contrast, soldiers have been trained to win the hearts and minds of northern Namibians, at which, within limits, they have been quite good. Be it eccentric or not, Business Day's view is that soldiers would get along with township leaders easier than policemen. While the police force here has its roots in the British constabulary, its endeavours now are not nearly as benign as they were at the time of union.
N. S. Bruce Editor, Business Day, 171 Main Street, Johannesburg
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