LOOKING BACK

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES 50 YEARS AGO

Mr. Vorster’s recent warning to Ministers of the church to stay out of politics is one that has been repeatedly made in communist countries, say the 12 leading churchmen in their open letter to the Prime Minister, written as the result of his threats last month. The churchmen, who include members of the D.R.C, Anglican, Methodist, Congregational and Lutheran Churches, attack apartheid as “against the word of God”, and say they are not intimidated by Mr. Vorster’s threats against churchmen “who condemn the policy of the government”… He issued his threats last month when he warned: “Cut it out immediately. The cloth you wear will not protect you.” — October 27 1968 FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES 25 YEARS AGO

Electricity users are paying hundreds of millions of rand to cover non-payment of Eskom bills in black townships. Eskom’s bad debts — including interest — are now R600-million. The debt problem may add one percentage point to the next annual tariff rise. An announcement of this increase — believed to be below inflation — was to have been made this week. The announcement was apparently delayed so that consultation with users and politicians could take place. Eskom executive director of distribution Jac Messerschmidt says the bad debts total R20-million a month and stem from consumer boycotts and non-payment by some town councils since 1990. — October 31 1993