Reports in the Rhodesian press of political trials under the Law and Order (Maintenance) Act have become few and far between over the last two months. Those cases that are covered often appear to have been selected as much for their propaganda value as for their legal implications. Virtually the only sentences reported during April, for example, were passed upon five men convicted of failing to report the presence of guerillas, at a public trial at Ruda police station in the Inyanga district, close to the Mozambique border. More than 100 kraalheads, schoolmasters and businessmen gathered at the station to witness the senior magistrate, Mr Clive Morkel, pass judgement. SHUPAYI PIAS (41), a school headmaster was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment; two kraalheads, TAWORA CHITIZA DZIRUNI (68) and TIMOTHY DZIMWASHE (58), to 8 years each; and two tribesmen, SHATIRWA MAWAKA (44) and SEBASTEN DZIRUNI (45), to 7 years each. In a speech clearly directed at his audience, Mr Morkel said it was only the fact that the five men had been frightened that had saved them from prosecution in the High Court with the consequent risk of the death penalty being imposed. They were leaders in their communities and should have set an example. He exhorted civilians to "make a stand against terrorism and you will defeat it". "As long as people show no courage and continue to be intimidated, they will live in terror." Mr Morkel's speech is in striking contrast to some other recent trials in which a relatively sympathetic attitude has been displayed by the bench towards civilians caught up by events in the operational areas.
3 May: Salisbury High Court PONIAS SHAVA, a 19-year-old guerilla from the Concession area, was sentenced to death on conviction of the murders of an Acting Chief in the Chiweshe TTL, and a white farmer near Umvukwes. Both were alleged to have died from gunshot wounds during attacks by guerilla groups of which Shava was a member, in April and June 1975. During the hearing a "trial-within-a-trial" took place when the defence counsel challenged the admissibility of statements and indications made to the police by the accused. An African police detail, the defence alleged, had told Shava that he was a public enemy and that if he did not tell the truth "they were quite entitled to shoot him or, in any event, to have him hanged." Shava had also been beaten up by members of the security forces.
21 May: Salisbury High Court MICHAEL CHISAWIRA (19) and SHADRECK SHATIRWAYI (19) were each sentenced to 9 years' imprisonment, and an unnamed 18-year-old youth to 8 years, for attempting to go for guerilla training in Mozambique. They had been convicted in a lower court and sent to the High Court for sentencing.
16 June: Salisbury High Court ISAAK GWAZE, a guerilla who lost a leg after being badly wounded in a battle with security forces, was sentenced to death on conviction of planting landmines and being in possession of weapons of war.
SPECIAL COURTS Since the end of May, most trial reports have been of hearings in the special courts set up under the Emergency Powers (Criminal Trials) Regulations 1976 to deal with guerilla offences.
