Chamber of Horrors

Only 20% of registered voters participated last week in elections for the Indian chamber of South Africa's new tricameral Parliament. That unenthusiastic showing came a week after a tepid 30% turnout in balloting for the colored (mixed-race) chamber. The two new houses, which will augment South Africa's previously whites-only Parliament, were set up under a new constitution overwhelmingly approved by white voters last fall. The additional chambers will have authority to pass legislation affecting the nation's 850,000 Indians and 2.8 million coloreds. But real power will remain with the 4.7 million whites. No power goes to the more than 23 million blacks, an omission that has soured many Indians and coloreds on their new voice in government.

Opposition turned violent near Johannesburg, where more than 100 people were injured as police used tear gas and sjamboks (whips made of hide) against Indian demonstrators. Prime Minister Pieter W. Botha is nonetheless determined to proceed with the three-part Parliament, which will begin deliberations in Cape Town later this month.