RHODESIAN’S SENTENCE

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30965, 22 January 1966, Page 13

RHODESIAN’S SENTENCE

Commutation By Queen

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter—Copyright >

LONDON, Jan. 20.

The Queen has commuted to life imprisonment a death sentence imposed by a Rhodesian court on an African for attempting to set fire to two buildings.

The death sentence, passed before Mr lan Smith regime’s declaration of independence, was mandatory under Rhodesia’s Law and Maintenance Act. The Queen exercised her Royal prerogative in commuting the death sentence, the Commonwealth Relations Office announced. The order meant that if the death sentence was now carried out it would be an illegal act. The announcement said the prerogative had been extended to the African, Mr Lazarus, on the advice of Mr Arthur Bottomley, the Commonwealth Secretary. The Queen had been petitioned to exercise her power of mercy in his case.

Under the 1961 Rhodesian Constitution, the Governor (Sir Humphrey Gibbs) is authorised to exercise the royal prerogative of mercy. But, because the Rhodesian situation prevents the Governor acting, the prerogative has now been exercised. Sir Humphrey Gibb's, Mr Smith’s regime and the prison governor in Salisbury have been informed of the decision. Mr Lazarus appealed to the Privy Council against the sen-

tence, but his appeal was rejected.

The Privy Council yesterday upheld a death sentence on another Rhodesian African, 39-year-old Simon Runyowa, convicted of arson and given a mandatory death sentence in December, 1963. under the. Law and Maintenance Act. Giving its ruling, the Privy Council referred to a provision enabling the Queen to exercise her prerogative of mercy. Runyowa's lawyers announced they were sending a petition to the Queen.