“African Tried To Protect Police”

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29192, 30 April 1960, Page 13

“African Tried To Protect Police”

CAPE TOWN, April 28. A South African police captain testified today that Philip Kgosane, a leader of the Pan-Africanist Congress in Cape Town, said he would protect, with his own life, policemen gathered at Langa on March 21, the day six Africans were killed in an outburst of racial violence.

It was the Pan-Africanist Congress Which called a countrywide demonstration against the pass laws on March 21.

Captain W. Louw, giving evidence before the judicial inquiry into the Langa events, said it was clear that from 10 or 11 a.m. that day “emotions began to run high.” '

He had been patrolling the township and advising Africans by loudspeaker that if they wanted to go to work they could have police protection.

"At one time I saw Philip Kgosane in front of the police station chasing away Bantus standing there,” the captain said. “Kgosane said several times, ‘I will protect them with my life’.” Captain Louw said that although his men were being severely tested by Africans he warned the police not to provoke any incidents. By 5.30 p.m., he said, 10,000 Africans were massed before the police station facing European

and African policemen. The European policemen were armed with revolvers and batons and there were also nine Sten guns. The non-European police were armed with batons or sticks.

A police officer today told the inquiry into last month’s Sharpeville shootings that he did not hear any order to fire on the crowd.

But, said the officer, Lieutenant J. J. Claassen, he knew some police witnesses would say they heard the order. “It is possible there was such an order if they say so,” he said. When the crowd, which he said was about 20,000, started throwing stones at the police, they opened fire in one volley. Lieutenant Claassen said.

“I think the shooting was necessary,” he said. When the crowd turned and started to flee after a volley lasting about 10 seconds, he immediately shouted “Cease fire. “1 gave this order on my own as the danger had been averted and I considered any further shooting would not be justified,” he added. Lieutenant Claassen said he would not shoot at people who shouted at or abused him, but he would if stones were thrown at him. Mr M. Parkinson (for some defendants): If one person throws a stone at you?—No.

Mr Justice Wessles: But what if you were hemmed in and a man about 20 yards away with a pile of stones next to him started throwing stones at you? —Then I would use a firearm. Captain F. V. J. Coetzee, a veteran officer in the South African police, told the inquiry that the Africans were the “most rebellious" he had ever seen.

He impressed on the men under his command not to shoot. “When shooting did start I screamed to them ‘Stand fast and don’t shoot’ and they obeyed me,” he said.

Captain Coetzee said he could not have dispersed the crov. i without shooting, but added: “That would have been horrible in that crowd.”