In December five more deaths of political detainees came to light, bringing the total of such deaths to 13 in 1976 alone, compared with 22 in the previous 14 years since detention without trial was first introduced in 1962 under the General Law Amendment Act. Alarm over the rapidly increasing number has given rise to numerous demands, both in South Africa and abroad, for an independent inquiry. At the same time mounting scepticism is being voiced about the official version of the cause of death in such cases. In a typical comment, the Daily Dispatch (16.10.76) said in an editorial: "The suspicion exists that suicide by hanging, or slipping in the showers, or falling out of windows or down stairs, or natural causes, are euphemisms."
The 13 persons who are known to have died in custody last year are as follows: Joseph Mdluli (50) - Allegedly died through application of force to the neck Mapetla Mohapi (29) - 'suicide by hanging' is alleged. Inquest due in January. Luke Mazwembe (32) - 'suicide by hanging' is alleged. The inquest, which opened in November and adjourned indefinitely without reaching a verdict was told that pieces of twine and a razor blade, which together with blanket strips enabled him to make a noose, had been accidentally left in his cell. Dumisani I. Mbatha (16) - allegedly 'became ill'. Zungwane J. Mashabane (22) - 'suicide by hanging' is alleged. A student at the University of Zululand, Mashabane died on 5 October in Johannesburg Fort. Prison officials claimed that he was awaiting trial on theft charges when he hanged himself with his shirt. But his family, who had not been informed of his arrest, believe he was detained under security laws. A crowd of over 5,000 mourners turned the funeral, on 24 October, into a political event, at which police opened fire without warning, killing 7 and injuring 51 others. Fenuel Mogatusi (22) - alleged to have died of suffocation during an epileptic fit. Like Mbatha, he was also a Soweto schoolboy. William Tshwane (age ?) - cause of death undisclosed. Arrested on 25 June along with other Soweto students, he was held at Modder B prison. Although he is reported to have died on the day of his arrest, his family were only informed on 14 October when they were told they could not have the body as it had already been buried. Edward Mzolo (40) - cause of death undisclosed. Died on 9 October at Johannesburg Fort - the third person to die in detention at the Fort in two weeks. Joyi Twasifene (age ?) - cause of death undisclosed. Apparently detained in the Transkei. No further details reported Thabo Mosala (over 60) - 'natural causes' alleged. Died on 25 November in Butterworth prison, Transkei, where he had been detained for 95 days under Proclamation R400 (which applies only to the Transkei). Chairman of the tribal council of Chief Neo Sibi (who has also been detained since 31 August), a leader of the Sotho minority living in the Transkei who have been strongly opposed to the independence of the Transkei. According to the authorities, Mosala died of internal bleeding from a gastric ulcer. His brother has also been detained in Johannesburg. Ernest Mamasila (35) - 'suicide by hanging' is alleged. On 16 November his wife was told he had been detained at Brakpan under the Terrorism Act. Two days later his family were informed that he had hanged himself in a cell at Balfour in Natal. Wellington Tshazibane (30) - 'suicide by hanging' is alleged. Tshazibane was detained under the Terrorism Act on 9 December and held at John Vorster Square in Johannesburg. Two days later his family were informed that he had hanged himself with a strip of blanket. Tshazibane, a brilliant student who had been expelled from the University of Fort Hare during student unrest in 1968, held an honours degree in design engineering from Oxford University and was employed by the De Beers-Lesotho mining company, a subsidiary of the Anglo American Corporation. He was arrested in connection with the Carlton bomb incident, shortly after returning from a business trip to Lesotho. Hundreds of people attended his funeral. George Botha (30) - suicide alleged. A Coloured biology teacher, he was arrested on 10 December under the Terrorism Act and died five days later in the Port Elizabeth security police HQ. According to the Commissioner of Police, Gert Prinsloo, "he jumped down a staircase well next to the lift as he was being taken up to the office. He hadn't been questioned yet." His wife said he was "definitely not the type of person to commit suicide." She arranged for two doctors to attend the autopsy.
STOP PRESS Two more detainees died early in January: (1) Dr. Nabaoth NTSHUNTSHA (40) of Soweto, who was arrested on 14 December. (2) Mr. Lawrence NDZANGA, also of Soweto, apparently arrested early in January. Former national secretary of the SA Railway & Harbour Workers Union, and NEC member of SACTU, he was detained with his wife Rita and 20 other Africans in May 1969. They were all charged twice under the Suppression of Communism and Terrorism Acts and acquitted twice. Thereafter both Ndzangas were banned for 5 years. Rita is now awaiting trial under the Terrorism Act.
