It’s no secret that when African elections loom, first world countries with any kind of vested interest will do something to make sure that they keep on benefiting.

But the thing is, while the idea remains as much of a myth as The Beach once was, it is still shocking when evidence arises.

Phil Miller wrote an article for Vice about a secret report he happened to stumble upon, detailing how Britain’s Ministry of Defence would go about keeping the ANC in power.

It was revealed by Freedom of Information Requests that last year a group of military officers from Britain’s Royal College of Defence Studies visited the country, to complete an assignment in which they would have to “assess the political threats to continuing ANC rule in South Africa”.

Although Phil asked for the contents of the report, the request was denied and the information remains classified.

Despite the concern surrounding the ANC’s activities, the military officers were required to, “devise a medium term strategy, with concrete deliverables, for the party to retain power at the next general election”.

People are still not happy. Campaigner Richard Solly, co-ordinator of the London Mining Network, said:

You see, the visit to South Africa involved very little military research and rather a lot of business meetings. Phil got their itinerary:

The military officers received a briefing at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, and called in at HSBC for a working lunch about the “economic outlook for the region”. The military delegation also attended an event at the offices of controversial British platinum mining company Lonmin in Johannesburg.

The topic of discussion at Lonmin was titled: “An Insider View on the Extractive Industry & Future Prospects”. They spent an afternoon with senior staff from the company, including its head of marketing and vice president of refining.

Lonmin = Marikana.

Solly from the London Mining Network said:

The Marikana massacre in 2012 and the recent murder of Bazooka Rhadebe are examples of British-linked mining projects in South Africa associated with appalling violence, including violence on the part of the state. The British government should put its efforts into supporting the workers and communities struggling to get justice from British-linked companies.

The MoD delegation was then scheduled to visit a police station in Alexandra Township for a briefing from the South African Police Service.

However, the MoD claims not to have any minutes or notes from the officers’ meetings with the South African police and the mining company Lonmin. In response to a Freedom of Information request, it said, “No information is held on the organisation of the Lonmin Office and Alexandra Police station elements of the visit programme.”

For some context, the Royal College of Defence Studies (formerly the Imperial Defence College), runs courses for officers “who have the potential to reach the highest ranks”.

The itinerary included lectures from senior military figures and diplomats in addition to the business meetings. The 16-strong delegation also visited other African countries, with flights costings £100,000 and the accommodation bill for nights in top hotels surpassing £40,000.

The college says its mission is: “To prepare selected senior military officers and government officials as well as appropriate individuals from the private sector, from the United Kingdom and elsewhere for senior leadership and management roles.”

Campaigners argue that the defence college’s visit to South Africa smacks of neo-colonialism.

Britain’s military involvement in South Africa’s political and economic affairs spans centuries,” said Adam Elliot Cooper from the Rhodes Must Fall campaign. “It is clear that Britain has as little interest in the sovereignty of the South African people today as they did when they first invaded the region centuries ago.”

[source: vice]