SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE CF RACE RELATIONS

To; The Research Officer, Head Office, JOHANNESBURG.

From: Natal Regional Office,S.A. Institute of Race Relations, P.O.Box 803,

DURBAN. 12/ll/l959.

Dear Muriel,SUHVEZ.

Herewith the section of the survey on the riots and unrest. I got Mr. Bourquin to read the Durban section, and read the Maritzburg section to Mr. Bang over the telephone. I also got the Harding report confirmed by the attorney who appeared for the tribesmen. Violaine Junod very kindly went through the entire thing, so that I think it is all O.K.

The only problem is that it is much longer than I had intended, and I suggest that you cut out any sections that you think are unnecessary. Perhaps the socio-economic background to Cato Manor, etc. is too detailed.

Jack Halpern has been asking for months for a Journal article on the subject. It occurs to me that the section might be suitable as it stands. Could you discuss it with him, and would you mind this. Alternatively, it could be used as a basis for such an article, with the addition of comment, criticism and analysis - which would involve quite a lot of thought and discussion, and mean a longer

delay.

Love,

Mary Draper, Regional Organiser ; Natal.

The Regional Organiser,.A. Institute of Race Relations-

P.O. Box 803,DURBAN.

16th November, 1959.

Dear Miss Draper,

Survey

On behalf of Miss Horrell, who, at present, is working on the Survey at home, I would like to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 12 November and thank you for the enclosed section of the survey on the Natal riots.

Mias Horrell is extremely grateful to you for ® work and ask6d m© to thank you ospeolally for returning it bo

speedily to her.

As regards the Journal article on the riots and unrest in Natal, Miss Horrell shall probably write to you at a later date and advise you of the deoision she and Mr. Halpem have oome to in this connection.

Tours sincerely,

S.P. Etaett. (Miss)

DEMONSTRATIONS AND DISTURBANCES IN DURBAN AND DISTRICT - MARCH / APRIL, 1960.

MONDAY. 28th MARCH.

STAY-AT-HOME.

Press reports concerning the "stay away" call to workers on 28th

indicate that at least 2Oj» of Africans did not report for work in the Durban

area, although estimates vary. Police sources put the numbers who went to work

at between 75J, and 80^. The clothing and textile industry is said to have been

the most affected by the stoppage. Reports state that the municipal services,

the docks and the S.A.R. did not experience abnormal absenteeism. The Natal

Daily News estimated that in Durban, 90/i of Indian business-men and industrial

workers supported the stoppage.

Shops and businesses in most country centres appear to have operated as

normal with the exception of Howiclc where the majority of Non-Europeans did not.

report for work, and Verulam where all Indian businesses and offices closed down.

On the following day, Tuesday 29th, all labout forces were back to normal.

THURSDAY. 51st MARCH.

Regional Organizer,S.A. Institute of Baoe Relations,

P.O. Box 803,DURBAN.

2nd May, i960.

Bear Kaxy,

Events have moved so incredibly swiftly these last weeks that I am trying to write them up now, for several reasons. One is that details will become blurred as time goes by. Another is that the G.P.C. indicated that it would like a record of events. The material may be of use at the mid-year Executive meeting, and will later be used for the "Survey’'.

In writing up the rioting, I have nothing but inadequate and quite possible inaccurate Press reports to use. I am so soriy to worry you, knowing how busy you must be, but should be enormously grateful if you will read the attached summaries and let me have your frank opinion. If you can find time to correct them, add material as neoessary, or even if necessary re­write them, my gratitude would be unbounded. We naturally only want faotual material that it is possible to publish under the finergency Regulations.

I do hope that this request will not be in the nature of a

last straw.

Yours sincerely,

Muriel Borrell, Resiarch Officer.

PHOWOGRAK: SENT 11.30 a.m. 6 MAT I960.

ACCOUNT OF EECENT EVENTS TO BE DUPLICATED POE

STOP MUST START SOON STOP CAN TOU SEND COMMENTS ON

AEEIVE THIETEEN MAY LATEST

EXECUTIVE

DE/iPT TO

UBUNTU JOHANNESBUBG

To;Muriel Horrell, Technical Officer, Head Office.

From: Natal Regional Office,S.A. Institute of Race Relations, P.O.Box 803,DURBAN.

Dear Muriel,

in timed° hope that the report (as amended and enlarged) arrives

^ ™ L a2tUali y sJarted t0 d0 *t on the basis of re-reading press reports to refresh my own memory - things happened so quickly and

, +Wf f Qpfr during Mkhumbane when we were madly busy, so that details do get blurred. Yours actually needed only slight amplication, e .g . regarding the different columns that marched

+ a!™r »-the first of which was intercepted by the staffof the Mayville Police Station and split into smaller columns and

8!n ?n£ Yhi^h+wafr me* by the troops and armoured cars, etc.? v Manor. - also the distinction between the

Hostel disturbances and the disturbances within Lamontivlle Location.st#rted, I found it was simpler to re-write it as

mi J? sequence of events, etc. clearer in my own

V..J * 80veS ar!S d " Protably unnecessarily - in somefn is probably the only detailed record we’ l l ever havein the Region so hope this is all right.

Please do not hesitate to hack it around as much as you like.

regulati on ■ y° U th*nk 11 is to° lonS contravenes the current regulations in any way I

Yours in haste - please excuse my rotten typing.

U U ? fa f AJL

ty CtA ,Cy

' ' S O U T H A F R I C A N I N S T I T U T E OF RACE R E L A T I O N S < , ncorporateD)(N A T A L C O A S T A L R E G IO N )

T e l e p h o n e 2 9 2 1 0 .,16 SEP WO

T e l e g r a m s :

“ U B U N T U ”355 P.O. B o x 8 0 3 .

12th September, 1960.

The Director,S.A. Institute of Race Relations, P.O. Box 97,JOHANNESBURG.

Dear Mr. Whyte,

frflSRGBiCY REGULATIONS.

Further to my previous letter to you in the aboveconnection, it would appear that the need for a "clearing depot" for information, as suggested by Mr. Pagden, has probably fallen away. Press reports have stated that all detainees have been released, and press statements from Government officials have stated that persons in detention under Section 4(bis) were also to have been released. Unless I obtain any information from the Detainees Relief Fund Committee to the contrary, I shall not take* any action in the matter. If, however, you consider there is anything we should do, please let me know.

Yours sincerely,

Mary Draper,Regional Organiser : Natal.

The Regional Organiser,S.A. Institute of B.B.,P.O. Box 803,DURBAN.

19th September, i960.

Dear Mary,

Emergency Regulations

Thank you for your letter of 12th September, i960.

I think we oan let the matter drop now.

Tours sinoerely,

Quintin Whyte, Director.

Collection Number: AD1646

SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF RACE RELATIONS, Unrests, banishments, removals, 1948-1969

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