In May Justice Minister J.T. Kruger appointed two people to oversee the "welfare of detainees". The appointments follow the new measures "to ensure the safety of detainees" announced in March (see FOCUS 16 p.13). Pretoria's former Chief Magistrate Mr. A.J. Mouton will work in the Orange Free State and Transvaal and former Cape Attorney-General Mr. Willem van den Berg SC, will deal with the Cape and Natal. Their task according to Mr. Kruger will be to visit detainees to check on their health. But their reports will not be made public - instead they will be made available to Mr. Kruger. (Star 13.5.78)
BIKO AND MDLULI
Opposition MP's continued to demand an impartial inquiry into the death in detention of Steve Biko, during the debate on police affairs. Replying Mr. Kruger admitted that there had been "errors of judgement" by the Security Police, but a full police investigation had been held and it had found that no further action was required.
Questioned about a statement in the Police Rules on detainees which states with regard to assaults that "such things sometimes occur regularly and on a disquieting scale," Mr. Kruger explained: "The official attitude is that all policemen must act in accordance with their regulations, standing orders and guidelines laid down." (RDM 18.5.75; CT 9.6.78)
During the debate Joel Mervis MP., pointed out that unlike Steve Biko, the death of Joseph Mdluli had never even been examined by an inquest. In June the *Rand Daily Mail* returned to the Mdluli case demanding an explanation from Mr. Kruger as to why no further action had been announced. Joseph Mdluli died within 24 hours of his detention in March 1976 and was found to have a large number of injuries. A judge had raised the matter saying that most, if not all, Mr. Mdluli's injuries were inflicted on him by the Security Police. (See FOCUS nos. 4 p.1, 6 p.5, 8 p.5, 9 p.8; RDM 12.6.78).
In a statement reminiscent of the death of Steve Biko, Security Police in King Williamstown claimed that Mxolisi MVOVO (30) detained since October 1977 was "shamming and playacting" according to doctors who examined him. Mr. Mvovo, a brother-in-law to Biko, was then committed to Komani Hospital. Explaining this Mr. Kruger claimed that Mr. Mvovo had been certified because he became "mentally deranged" whilst in detention. A few days later Mr. Mvovo escaped from the hospital but was recaptured. On 24 April he was released and taken to Dimbaza where he is under house arrest and banning orders. (DD 28.2.78; RDM 6/24.4.78; ST 16.4.78)
Another detainee has also been admitted to Komani Hospital allegedly suffering from a nervous breakdown. Moses TWEBE (59) a Terrorism Act detainee who was recently sentenced to 6 months imprisonment for refusing to give state evidence in the trial of Joseph Mati (see FOCUS 15 p.3) had previously served 6 years on Robben Island for ANC activities. (DD 17.3.78)
In Durban a Supreme Court judge issued an order prohibiting the Security Police from assaulting a Terrorism Act detainee, Ernest Sabelo GOBESE (26). Ngobese's father gave evidence explaining that he had visited his son in hospital where a Security Policeman explained that swellings on the detainee's face were caused by "medical treatment". (CT 7.6.78)
A former student from BophuthaTswana Mr. Solomon MOLEFE (22) who was rushed to hospital after interrogation by more than 20 police at Odi police station, has described how he was beaten up under a cold shower. "I was pushed into a bathroom with bloodstained walls where I was hit with fists, dropped to the ground and kicked, and beaten with knobkieries." Mr. Molefe was not charged with any offence and has been released. (Post 16.2.78)
