BOSS IN BRITAIN

Abstract

FOR about twenty years South African secret services have operated in Britain.' They have concentrated their main attention on anti-apartheid groups and the exiled black political parties-notably the African National Congress (ANC), the Pan African Congress (PAC), and the South West Africa Peoples' Party (SWAPO)-but they have probably also operated against prominent British public figures who are known for their commitment against apartheid. The underground war which is waged in Britain may be seen as an overspill of the conflict being fought in the Republic between the black nationalists and South African authorities, but it is also part of an international struggle between the anti-apartheid groups and the South Africans. Britain has become involved in three ways. First and foremost, London is a major centre for the exiled black parties and anti-apartheid groups. Second, London is an important international communications centre in the propaganda war for 'hearts and minds'. Finally, the anti-apartheid struggle has become interwoven into domestic British politics. The aims of both sides in the secret war are to build up knowledge of their opponents, counter their plans, frustrate their actions, and generally to undermine them. For those involved the stakes vary considerably. For some it means at worst personal inconvenience or at best the satisfaction in outwitting opponents. For others the stakes are much higher. If information reaches the South African Government about opponents who are working inside the Republic, it can lead to arrest, imprisonment, and perhaps even death. For example, when Stan Winer, a South African exile living in London, returned to the Republic allegedly to make a secret film about apartheid and do some work for the ANC, a South African agent alerted the authorities in Pretoria. Winer was arrested, tried, convicted and sentenced to four years imprisonment. At the trial, papers were produced as evidence against him which he was convinced had been stolen from his London flat and photographs shown which had