State of emergency is lifted in Natal

President F.W. De Klerk lifted a four year state of emergency in Natal. The state of emergency was as a result of the violence caused by a power struggle between the ANC and the IFP in that province. Both the ANC and the IFP welcomed the decision. The state of emergency gave police and the army free reign which led to the arrest of many political activists. People could be arrested and detained without trial and political rallies were disrupted and broken up. De Klerk only lifted the state of emergency when it seemed that the violence had subsided.