MAGISTRATE “SHOUTS”

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29170, 2 April 1960, Page 10

MAGISTRATE “SHOUTS”

Kaffir Beer On The Court JOHANNESBURG. Justice interspersed with a bit of humour was quickly dispensed, in the Springs Magistrate’s Court to six Africans who were charged with-being in possession of various quantities of skokiaan (an illicit brew) totalling more than 100 gallons. “Fifteen pounds or 20 days,” intoned Mr A. Reinach, the Magistrate, until he looked up and saw that one of the accused had an infant strapped to her shoulders. “Ask where she borrowed that baby. It has appeared three times in Court already this morning,” he told the interpreter. The Magistrate then ordered that the baby should be handed over to the accused’s mother, but apparently she was having none of it, as she hastily left the Court. When one of the accused denied that the concoction he had been selling was skokiaan, the Magistrate called for a taster. First an African policeman tasted the brew. Then the Magistrate turned to -the Africans in the gallery and called out: “Does anyone want a spot on the house this morning?” An old man hastened into the well of the Court, and, taking a mug, helped himself generously. “Huh,” he said. “It’s- kaffir beer mixed with sugar and water."

Satisfied, the Magistrate carried on with the proceedings, but the old man, in spite of his derisive remark about the water, stayed to finish his beer.