PATROLS IN S.A.

Press, Volume C, Issue 29524, 27 May 1961, Page 11

PATROLS IN S.A.

Helicopters Used

(N .Z.P.A .-Reuter—Copyright) JOHANNESBURG. May 25. Police are using helicopters and searchlights on night patrols over some of South Africa’s sprawling African settlements. Associated Press reported today. The patrols follow reports of midnight activity suspected to be connected with the three-day strike by nonwhites. proclaimed to start on Monday. The closest watch was being kept on the African townships of Langa and Nyanga outside Cape Town—the scene of violence during last year’s racial upheaval. Meanwhile the big rush for guns by white South Africans continues, and some Cape Town gunsmiths report they are sold out

The Minister of the Interior (Mr Jan Derlerk) warned the country’s civil servants against staying away from work during the strike. In a statement he called on them to disobey the stay-at-home strike demanded. In the Cape Province town of Port Elizabeth, leaflets declaring “Verwoerds Republic Must Go" cascaded from the top of a tall building in the mam street at lunch time. The leaflets were addressed “tc all South Africans, black I and white.” Reuters report that as the hunt continues throughout the Union for the organisers of! the anti-republic strike. Durban police have promised the people protection next week, and say: “Please ignore agitators." There is no news of 43-year-old Mr Nelson Mannela, who is leading the strike campaign.

Security forces are expected to make an all-out effort over the week-end to break the threatened “stay-at-home.” The drive to catch the elusive African underground leaders particularly Mr Mandela—will be intensified, according to some reports. Two members of the Liberal Party, Mr Leonard Bloom, a university lecturer, and Mrs Jill Richburn, a niece of the party leader and author, Mr Alan Paton, are expected to appear in court in Durban today. They were detained on Tuesday while distributing Liberal Party pamphlets, and held in police cells for about 20 hours before being released from custody.