The following lists events that happened during 1979 in South Africa. Incumbents State President: John Vorster (until 4 June). Marais Viljoen (acting from 4 June, elected from 19 June). Prime Minister: P.W. Botha. Chief Justice: Frans Lourens Herman Rumpff. Events January 8 – South Africa and Lesotho sign a monetary agreement. 14 – Police clash with Umkhonto we Sizwe guerrillas near Zeerust and arrest one while six escape into Botswana. 23 – A bomb explodes near the New Canada railway station in Soweto. 24 – A large amount of explosives is found and defused on the railway line between Fort Beaufort and King William's Town. February Sergeant Benjamin Letlako, a Police Special Branch member, is shot dead in Katlehong. April Explosives are discovered and defused on a railway line near Soweto. May 5 – Guerrillas open fire in the Moroka Police Station, killing one and wounding three more policemen and three civilians. 29 – Bishop Abel Muzorewa becomes the transitional Prime Minister of Zimbabwe-Rhodesia. June 4 – Following the Information Scandal, John Vorster resigns as State President of South Africa. 4 – Marais Viljoen becomes acting State President of South Africa for the second time. 19 – Marais Viljoen becomes State President of South Africa. Explosives are discovered and defused on a railway line in the Eastern Transvaal. September 22 – A Vela satellite detects a flash in the southern Atlantic Ocean, believed to be a South African-Israeli nuclear test. November Guerrillas open fire and hurl grenades in the Orlando Police Station charge office, killing two policemen and wounding two. Grenades are thrown into the home of Special Branch policeman Lt Magezi Ngobeni and five children are wounded. December A bomb explodes and damages the railway line near Alice. A bomb explodes at the Sasol Oil Refineries and cause massive structural damage. Unknown date The National Council of Lawyers for Human Rights is established. The African National Congress's Special Operations, reporting directly to Oliver Tambo, is established. The African National Congress' Nova Catengue Training Camp is attacked and destroyed by the South African Air Force. Births 8 January – Butch James, rugby player 10 January – Louise Carver, singer-songwriter, pianist 29 January – Mfuneko Ngam, cricketer 5 February – Steve Lekoelea, soccer player 14 February – Wesley Moodie, tennis player 23 February – Jaco van Zyl, golfer 25 February – Wikus van Heerden, rugby player 18 March – Bonnie Mbuli,