Joshua Nkomo, long time friend of Robert Mugabe, was dismissed as minister of the interior on the accusation of plotting a coup in Zimbabwe. This triggered bitter fighting between Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU) supporters in the Ndebele-speaking region of the country and the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU). Between 1982 and 1985 the military brutally crushed armed resistance in Ndebeleland and Mugabe's rule was left secure. At least 20 000 died in the ensuing massacres.

The Swaziland government welcomed South Africa's offer to hand over parts of KaNgwane and KwaZulu to Swaziland, since, it claims the territory is historically and culturally part of the Swazi kingdom. The areas demarcated for the hand over were adjacent to Swaziland. The Kwazulu homeland government under the leadership of Chief Gatsha Buthelezi objected and successfully launched a court case against the move on the grounds that the Kwazulu homeland was not properly consulted as stated in the homeland act.

A call for a thirty-minute work stoppage in protest against the death of Dr. Neil Aggett, who allegedly committed suicide while in police detention, was supported by virtually all-independent Black unions, and tens of thousands of workers. Outrage at the circumstances of his death cut across racial lines and prompted White opposition politicians, lawyers, academics and church leaders to lead demands for the end of prolonged solitary detention without trial because of the intolerable pressure it creates.

Ciskei becomes the fourth Black homeland to be granted 'independence' by the South African Government. Chief Lennox Sebe is elected President by the National Assembly, consisting of both elected members and thirty-seven hereditary chiefs.

The office of a member of Prime Minister P.W. Botha's team, responsible for drawing up plans for a Southern African Constellation of States, Professor Jan Lombard, was destroyed at the University of Pretoria. The aims of the proposed constellation included inducing neighbouring states to deny bases to guerrilla forces seeking the armed overthrow of government in SA; curbing Russian influence in these states; strengthening economic ties in the subcontinent; and, prevailing on them to 'display some moderation' in criticising SA's internal policies.

South African Prime Minister P. W. Botha warns the country that confrontation will be inevitable if his proposed President's Council fails. The Council was part of Botha's plan to effect broad ranging constitutional changes which would allow for a role for both Indian and Coloured people in parliament but which still excluded direct political representation for African people.

Following South Africa's policies of racial segregation and the promulgation of the Promotion Bantu Self-Government Act,46 of 1959, the South African government granted 'independence' status to Venda, which became the Republic of Venda. Venda was created for the Venda people. The Venda people and the international community rejected the independence of Venda. Despite its claims to independence, Venda, remained politically and economically dependent on South Africa.

Former Pan African Congress (PAC) director of Foreign Affairs and representative to the United Nations, David Sibeko, was murdered by a militant stance faction in the PAC in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. At the time of his death, Sibeko was based New York. The death of Sibeko came as result of increasing hostility between fighting factions within the PAC's newly appointed Central Committee, led by Potlako Leballo, in Tanzania. This committee was dominated by Sibeko's faction members.

The South African government froze the South African assets of the former Information Secretary, Dr. Eschel Rhoodie, and was reported to have seized secret funds deposited in private accounts outside the country, following the Information Scandal and Erasmus Commission's Report of 1978.

Winnie Mandela (now Winnie Madikizela-Mandela), restricted to a Black township at Brandfort, Orange Free State, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment (suspended for four years) for breaking her banning and house arrest order by receiving unauthorised visits by friends and relatives.