Marais Given Suspended Term Of Imprisonment

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32324, 16 June 1970, Page 7

Marais Given Suspended Term Of Imprisonment

(N.Z.P.A.’Reuter—Copyright) PRETORIA, June 14.

The duty leader of thei extreme Right-wing Herstigte 1 , (Reconstituted) Nasionale' Party (Mr Jaap Marais) was given a suspended sentence in Johannesburg on Thursday (Of 25 days imprisonment, or a fine of 50 rand ($62.50) for refusing to give evidence before a Government inquiry. Mr Marais, who pleaded not guilty, had been summoned to give evidence at a sitting of the State Security Commission in November last year. The commission was investigating a statement by the party leader (Dr Albert Hertzog) that the Bureau of State Security would cost nearer 50 million rand ($62.5 million) than the 4 million rand ($5 million) voted by Parliament. Dr Hertzog, who was summoned to give evidence, refused to do so. Earlier this year he was found guilty on a similar charge and given

a similar sentence. Mr Marais was called to give evidence after. Dr Hertzog, and he also refused.

$350 FINE On Friday Mr Marais was fined $375 for disclosing secret information in a way or

with a purpose detrimental to the interests or safety of the State.

The case arose from a statement Mr Marais issued last

February to a number of [Sunday newspapers, which did [not appear after a police warning to the newspapers. Mr Marais was tried on three charges under the Official Secrets Act. He was acquitted on two charges possessing an official document, secret code or password issued to some person other than himself, and failing to hand the document code or password to the person to whom it was issued or to the police. Mr Justice Hermanus Van Heerden told Mr Marais. “The damage which was caused by your disclosure cannot be fairly established at this stage. It may bring with it, however, the result that months, and even years, of work to protect the safety and interests of the republic are now nullified.”