WINDHOEK RIOTS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29101, 13 January 1960, Page 11

WINDHOEK RIOTS

Union Blames AppeUants

CAPE TOWN, January 11. United Nations representatives of South-West African natives were blamed by a South African attorney today for the riots at Windhoek, South-West Africa last month in which 12 Africans were shot dead by the police. The attorney, Mr James Heyna, chief professional assistant to the Attorney-General at Cape Town, is leading evidence before the Commission inquiring into the riots. The United Nations representatives named by Mr Heyns are the English priest, the Rev. Michael Scott, three American citizens who visited the territory last year, and two men known as Mburumba Kdrina and Ariretufu Kozonguisi. South Africa does not recognise their claim to represent the SouthWest African natives. Nor does it recognise the United Nations claim to have taken over the League of Nations trusteeship of South-West Africa. Last month's riots came after orders by the South African Government that the Africans were to be removed from their Windhoek homes to a new area. Eight South African policemen were Injured during the disturbance. It was said during today’s hearing that when the home of an African missionary was searched letters were found from the Rev. Michael Scott as well as a copy of the constitution of the Ovamboland People’s Organisation. The constitution pledged to “fight relentlessly to bring the territory under the trusteeship of the United Nations, and in so doing to work with various Socialist countries.”