LOOKING BACK

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES 50 YEARS AGO

Portugal yesterday moved to end the 10-year war in Mozambique by inviting guerrillas to lay down their weapons and become legal political groups without restrictions. General Francisco de Costa Gomes, strongman of the Portuguese military junta, said at a Press conference in Lourenco Marques that his government was making attempts for direct negotiation with the largest Mozambique guerrilla organisation, which was based at Dar-esSalaam, Tanzania. Asked whether the Communist Party would be recognised and allowed to operate in Mozambique, General Gomes said he could see no reason why it should not as was operating freely in Portugal. He said Portugal subscribed to the principle of self-determination and in time all Mozambicans would decide their own future and destiny. May 12 1974 —

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES 25 YEARS AGO

The Independent Electoral Commission has threatened to “postpone” the June election in Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini’s hometown, Nongoma, in northern KwaZulu-Natal unless one of its officials is allowed to do his job without political interference. The threat comes in the wake of ongoing conflict between Inkatha Freedom Party supporters and an IEC official, Langa Ntshangase, appointed to manage the elections in the rural town. Ntshangase fled Nongoma after his house was burnt down by unidentified men. He said this week he was living in fear after IFP supporters accused him of “bringing the ANC” to their stronghold. Two months ago IFP supporters disrupted a ceremony hosted by Public Works Minister Jeff Radebe and King Goodwill. May 16 1999 —