‘Systematic Torture By South African Police’

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30593, 9 November 1964, Page 13

‘Systematic Torture By South African Police’

(N.Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, November 8. A chronicle of what was claimed to be a systematic torture and brutality inflicted by South African police and security men on suspects, detainees and prisoners, both political and criminal, has been prepared by the Christian Action Group, the “Sunday Times” said.

The chronicle—to be published soon in pamphlet form—has been compiled from records, affidavits, interview material and press cuttings collected by Christian Action It is edited by an Austrian free lance journalist, Mrs Suzanne Cronje, who has lived in South Africa for several years. Her aim is to prove that torture is used regularly and deliberately in South Africa, with official connivance, against enemies of apartheid.

The electric shock method of torture is described in many sworn affidavits from detainees released after being held under the 90-day “no trial” law. An affidavit from a 90-day detainee describes how he

was hit, kicked and choked during the first part fo his interrogation. It goes on: “I was handcuffed and a canvas bag was put over my head to cover my face, and this made breathing difficult. I was ordered to sit down with my knees up in between my arms and a stick was put in between so that I could not move.

“Then I felt something like wire tied on to my little fingers of both hands. Then I felt electric shocks which were applied occasionally.

“Then I would be lifted with the stick anu, during electric shocks, I would be left to drop on my back.” This treatment was repeated three times, with intervals for questioning. The “Sunday Times” said Mrs Cronje also quoted the

case of Willie Smit who, after being savagely beaten, agreed to talk. After he had been driven by two policemen to a place where he indicated stolen goods could be found, they put leg irons on his ankles, tied one iron to the bumper of a truck and the other to another truck.

One of the policemen jumped into a truck and started to reverse. “Willie Smit screamed that he was being torn apart," one of the witnesses said. “After the torture he was unable to speak. He died four days later.”

Mrs Cronje said the South African Ministry of Justice had taken no notice of allegations of torture, and had declined to appoint a judicial inquiry in spite of the growing flood of evidence.