TROUBLE WITH NATIVES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23233, 30 December 1938, Page 12

TROUBLE WITH NATIVES

SHOTS IN POLICE RAID ILLEGAL BEER DRINKING [ I'ROM OUR OWN COUUF.SPOXDENT] JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 22 Serious disturbances occurred among mine natives at Oberholzer the other day. Fifteen natives were arrested and will appear in Court at Poehefstroom. Oberholzor is a main line station between Potchefstroom and Johannesburg and is near two newly-opened mines. Three constable were attacked with clubs when they attempted to arrest about ;H) natives who were holding a beer-drinking party at Oberholzer. Two of the constables were knocked down. Tho third, after being struck 011 the head, drew his revolver and fired on his assailants. The natives then tied. At the same time a party of a dozen constables under Head Constable J. J. Griesel, of Potchefstroom, was carrying out beer raids among the koppies near by. They arrested 15 natives. One who was stated to be the ringleader was pursued for 250 yards and when captured was found to have received a serious bullet wound. All unsuccessful search was made for the 30 natives concerned in the original disturbance. Trouble broke out again the same afternoon when 500 natives armed with sticks appeared at Oberholzer demanding the release of the 15 men who had been arrested and who were waiting to bo transferred to Potchefstroom by train. A detachment of Johannesburg Railway Police and a detachment of the South African Police at West Hand wore rushed to the spot. Captain 31. .1. Jackson, district commandant. at Potchefstroom, and Lieutenant C. L. Slander warned the natives and they dispersed quietly. A European who appeared on the station armed with , a .22 rifle was r<> (inested bv the police to leave immediately.. Two other Europeans arrived shortly afterward similarly armed and wero also asked to leave.