President Mandela will not halt the prosecution of a former defence minister

President Mandela said yesterday he would not halt the prosecution of a former defence minister and 10 other senior military officers accused of killing 13 blacks eight years ago, Reuter reports. "I certainly wouldn't stop it," Mr Mandela told reporters.

General Magnus Malan and 10 other senior officers from the apartheid years are due to be arrested today in connection with the 1987 killings and so-called Third Force activities against anti-apartheid activists.

"Where people go and slaughter innocent people, including seven children who are not in any political organisation, a priest and members of his congregation, I want to know whether that was the policy of the National Party," Mr Mandela said.

The National Party, headed by former president, FW de Klerk and now in government with the ANC, wants temporary immunity for the generals.