At least 2,500 people have appeared in court on charges arising out of demonstrations and disturbances since June. Nearly 1,000 of these were accused of public violence, stoning, theft, arson and similar charges of varying gravity; the rest were charged with 'illegal gathering' under the Riotous Assemblies Act and typically sentenced to fines or flogging depending on their age. Selected cases were as follows:
- Rooi Ngwenya, given an indeterminate sentence of 9-15 years when convicted of inciting violence in Alexandra in June on the grounds that he was a 'habitual criminal', was said to have given the 'Black Power' salute and shouted to the police to come and shoot him. Ngwenya denied both allegations saying he had been arrested outside his home while watching the disturbances. (RDM 1.10.76)
- Special courts sitting through the night at Port Elizabeth convicted 200 young Africans following protest marches in New Brighton. Among those sentenced was an eight-year-old boy, who received five cuts with a cane. (RDM 17.9.76)
- 30 men and six women, all members of the right wing Herstigte Nasionale Party, were arrested following a large HNP march to the Prime Minister's private residence in protest against the 'sell-out' of Rhodesia. The police refused to allow them to see Mr Vorster. Of those arrested 23 refused bail initially; among them were the HNP deputy leader Mr Jaap Marais, 53, and Mr Gert Beetge, 57, building workers union leader. A week later when the 36 re-appeared in court the case was dismissed. (RDM 27/28.9.76; GN 7.10.76)
- Among 17 school students charged with sabotage after they had burnt down Bophuthatswana Legislative Assembly near Mafeking in August was the 18 year-old son of Chief Lucas Mangope, Chief Minister of Bophuthatswana Homeland. Shortly before they appeared in court to apply for bail, the charges against Mangope jnr. and two others were dropped on instructions from the Cape Attorney-General. (RDM 14/28.9.76, 8.10.76)
