Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 10, 1991 TAG: 9102100050
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA LENGTH: Medium
It was the second reported coup attempt in two weeks in the nominally independent homeland on the Indian Ocean. South African troops entered Ciskei to help keep order after the attempt, and the capital of Bisho was reported calm by afternoon.
The military ruler, Brig. Gen. Oupa Gqozo, appeared on television Saturday evening and said loyal soldiers were in control.
Gqozo was not in Ciskei when the incident began Saturday morning but returned in the afternoon.
A member of the ruling Military Council, Commandant S.S. Pita, said three senior officers announced their intention to take power during a meeting with soldiers at the military base in Bisho. Pita identified one of alleged assault leaders as Brig. Andrew Jamangile, Ciskei's defense force chief. The plan fell apart when other soldiers refused to participate, and shooting broke out, Pita said on official Radio Ciskei.
He said the alleged ringleaders were injured but escaped. Pita made no mention of other casualties.
A statement from South Africa's Department of Foreign Affairs said South African troops provided "limited assistance" to keep order at Gqozo's request.
Gqozo has come under harsh criticism since loyal soldiers shot to death two men allegedly involved in a Jan. 27 coup attempt.
Ciskei is one of four black homelands considered independent by the South African government but not recognized as such by any other nation. About 1 million people live in the homeland, which covers 3,600 square miles on the Indian Ocean coast.
by CNB