Monday, Jan. 11, 1988
World Notes SOUTH AFRICA
In the grand scheme of apartheid, large blocks of territory would be settled with blacks and turned into "independent" satellites of Pretoria. Transkei, the first such state, was created in 1976 and has no international recognition. Still, to Pretoria's chagrin, Transkei behaves like many other nations. It has scandals and corruption, and last week it had its second coup in three months.
Backed by Transkei's 8,000-man army, Major-General Bantu Homolisa announced the overthrow of Prime Minister Stella Sigcau. In September, Homolisa had helped put Sigcau in office by deposing George Matanzima, who had ruled the "republic" since 1979. Homolisa accused Sigcau of corruption and bribery. As head of the new ruling military council, Homolisa advised Pretoria that he sought to "rectify the state of affairs for the good of all."