RAND REVOLT

Southland Times, Issue 19518, 18 May 1922, Page 7

RAND REVOLT

DEALING WITH OFFENDERS. MAGISTRATES VERY BUSY. CHARGES OF HIGH TREASON. The Johannesburg Courts have been busy recently in disposing of cases arising out of the recent revolt on the Rand. One morning in March, for instance, 24 persons were charged vzith high treason, and were remanded. The accused included several miners. The following list of cases dealt with, among others, on the same day, gives an insight into the varied nature of the offences committed or alleged to have been committed, and which- the magistrates have been considering for some time:— Gerald Harding Kretzschmar, British, commercial broker, was charged with inciting to public violence. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Provincial Council, and is a former Labour member of Johannesburg Town Council. He was remanded. Dirk Tenius Bosch (35), British, no occupation, and Peter William de Bruyn (36), British, miner, were charged with demanding a gun from a man named Van der Walt. The latter told how the accused came to his house and demanded his gun. In reply to the charge, the first accused said that De Meillon, who used to speak at the Town Hall meetings, sent them to a bouse, which he pointed out, to bring the gun back to him. He did not know what for. Accused had heard that men who did not carry out his orders he would have shot. The second accused said he was sent, but he did not know what for. Mr Doran said the charge was a very serious one. Six months’ hard labour each. Jedijah Jooste (29), Dutch, mason, was charged under martial law regulations. A witness said that accused and others came and demanded two horses, and afterwards went to the stable, broke it open, and took one horse, which had since come back of its own accord. Four months’ hard labour. Amodel Diana (38), Indian, barber, in possession of loot. Remanded. Walter Ruben Pegg (56), British, compositor, out after hours. He was found sitting in a shop doorway in Eloff street at 10.15 p.m. He said he had had a few drinks. 10s or seven days. Minnie van Tender (30), British, housewife, pleaded guilty to being in possession of loot. Two months’ hard labour. May Gomez (32), British, housewife, in possession of loot. Six months' hard lobour. Hillgate Person (34), Swede, rigger, in possession of loot. One month’s hard labour. Accused tried to explain the presence of a large amount of groceries by saying he and his father-in-law had laid in stocks to see them through a general strike. Mr Doran remarked that that tale would not wash. Francis Colley (25), Biitish, attorney, was charged under martial law regulations. It was stated that he represented himself to a military officer as a doctor from Pretoria, and got a pass to take him past sentries. ‘ * Accused said he was not a doctor. He joined the Pretoria Regiment for service either with the Flying Corps or ambulance. He had had four years in the medical faculty of Trinity College. Dublin. Commandant van der Walt tcld him to bring some patients in, and these patients called him doctor.

Mr Doran said it had been the act of a madman. Accused said he had used all bis own bandages on the men. Mr Doran put him back for medical observation. “I clean forgot about martial law,” said George Vissey (33), British, fitter, charged with being out after hours. His forgetfulnees cost him £1 or seven days.