Mr Vorster’s Justice

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32391, 2 September 1970, Page 16

Mr Vorster’s Justice

Twenty Africans are again on trial in Pretoria on charges of “participation in terroristic activities”. There is no assurance of a fair hearing for persons, especially Africans, charged under South Africa’s Terrorism Act Their arrest denied them the opportunity to engage in any form of political activity; under the act persons may be held indefinitely without trial. Apart from the Minister of Justice or his nominee, no-one “ shall have access “ to any detainee or shall be entitled to any official “ information relating to a detainee ”. The 20 Africans are accused of plotting against the security of the State, a capital offence. The indictment runs to 58 pages, reciting in detail the training in guerrilla warfare and in the “ theory of “ communism ” allegedly received by each defendant Originally the accused were charged under the Suppression of Communism Act But last February action under that act was abandoned. The prosecution obviously decided that the result required —conviction—could be more easily and positively achieved under the Terrorism Act The court thereupon released the accused, who were immediately re-arrested on the new charges. Some of the accused, men and women, are internationally known for their courageous efforts to secure social justice in Africa. A central figure, Mrs Mandela, whose husband is already in prison, said during the first trial that the Terrorist Act was “unjust and “ soul-corrosive ”. •

The act transfers the onus of proof from the prosecution to the defence. Terrorism is so broadly defined, as has been noted by the International Commission of Jurists, that it can be made to cover almost any activity “ displeasing to the Government ”. Mr Vorster, whose Government passed the act, seems quite indifferent to outside opinion, even in Britain. Perhaps he no longer cares whether the proposed arms deal with Britain goes through. Last March his Defence Minister, Mr Botha, said the ban on sales was no longer a problem, because the Government could buy all the arms it needed—thanks to French tolerance—or manufacture them domestically. Certainly the possibility of wrecking the arms deal is not going to be allowed to influence the administration of justice—apartheid style—in South Africa.