AFRICAN ON 29 CHARGES

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29107, 20 January 1960, Page 10

AFRICAN ON 29 CHARGES

Alleged “Panga Maniac”

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) PRETORIA, January 18. An African accused of 29 counts of rape, robbery and attempted murder was shackled round the feet when he appeared in Court today at the opening of the preparatory examination. Phineas Tshitaundzi is accused of being Pretoria’s notorious “panga maniac.” The ‘‘panga maniac,” so-named because of the long curving blade known as a panga which he carried, attacked scores of couples courting in secluded spots near Pretoria during the last two years.

Much of today’s evidence was given in camera.

A number of white women told of being raped while their men companions stood by helplessly after being savagely assaulted by an African armed with a panga. An Army doctor said he examined a man and woman who had been attacked. The man had forehead, forearm and leg wounds, while the woman had broken fingers, two of which had to be amputated. Another doctor said he examined a man of 24 and found his back had been slashed. One cut had severed neck muscles.

Evidence will be given by 88 witnesses.