By Bob Newland
Fallout is the latest of four political thrillers by former anti-apartheid activist and prolific writer, Peter Hain. His previous ‘conspiracy’ trilogy was based around poaching and the illegal trade in animal horns and skins in post-apartheid South Africa. This story takes us back to the final years of apartheid.
The story unfolds in China, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and London, where a trio of rogue intelligence officers conspire to supply South Africa with nuclear weapons. Accidentally interacting with the plotters are a number of apparently innocent people who over time become irreversibly drawn into the plot, in some cases with tragic consequences. Peter’s wide experience of international travel helps him to bring to life people and places in those very different locations, cultures and political systems.
The power and threat of the novel is brought to us immediately by the cover illustration showing a mushroom cloud rising over the Great Wall of China. Peter leaves the reader little time to adjust to the story as his Prologue cuts directly to the kidnapping, torture and interrogation in South Africa of an as yet unidentified character.
Peter paints a realistic and terrifying picture of the apartheid regime’s death squads. He also reflects on the tangled web of international intrigue which surrounded the constant breaches of United Nations (UN) sanctions against South Africa. Cold war tensions abound and Peter shows a broad understanding of international relations and conflict resolution as he tells the tale.
Essential to the plot is the idea that rogue elements in China, opposed to the reforms of the 1980s, would conspire with others in the west to fulfil their ambitions. Sadly, I do not understand why Peter would suggest that the Chinese government had previously supplied apartheid South Africa with enriched uranium for their nuclear weapons program. It doesn’t seem necessary to the story and there is no evidence that it happened. In fact the People’s Republic of China had no diplomatic relations or trade ties with South Africa and supported the ANC (South Africa) and ZANU (Zimbabwe) in their armed struggle to defeat apartheid and colonialism, providing them with both weapons and training. It was not China but Britain, Germany, France, and Israel, who supplied oil, weapons, military and nuclear technology to the apartheid regime in defiance of UN sanctions.
Aside from that quibble, this is a thoroughly enjoyable and informative read. The book delves deep into the problems facing newly independent Zimbabwe, the regional tensions affecting the struggle of the ANC, the explosion of internal resistance following the Soweto student revolt in 1976, the re-establishment of South African trade unions accompanied by massive strike waves, and general unrest in the townships. Not ignored are the increasingly successful armed actions by Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the ANCs armed wing.
All these events take place in the cold war environment where the actions of the villains threaten regional and global peace. As Peter builds the images of his central characters, he shares with us their personal and professional tensions and deep moral dilemmas. As he weaves the story Peter provides powerful examples of the contribution of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Readers will be pleased to know that this is not an apocalyptic tale. The plotters are eventually defeated in their efforts.
For those of us that experienced those struggles against apartheid, and the actions of M15, M16 and the CIA, in supporting the apartheid regime, it brings back strong images of our successes and failures. It is painful to recall the many victims of apartheid, especially those who were killed or injured by the regime’s assassination squads. Among these were such giants of the struggle as Dulce September, Ruth First, Albie Sachs and of course but for a defective detonator on a letter bomb, the author, Peter Hain, himself. For activists involved in today’s struggles, it may provide an insight into some of the anomalies they face when trying to understand the actions of governments and the shady dealings of the intelligence services. I highly recommend it as a thrilling read.
Fallout by Peter Hain, published by Muswell Press £14.99
The views expressed in the articles published on this website do not necessarily represent those of Liberation.
Bob Newland is a former ‘London Recruit’ and is a member of the Advisory Council of ACTSA and the Advisory Board of the Anti-Apartheid Centre of Memory and Learning in the former ANC London offices in Penton Street. Bob is also a Liberation member.
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