At least two people from Durban have been held in detention for most of the past three years. They are Russell MAPHANGA and Shadrack MAPHUMULO, both of whom served ten years on Robben Island and were arrested in December 1975 in connection with the trial of Harry Gwala and others in Pietermaritzburg, which concluded in July 1977 (FOCUS 12). Together with three others from Durban, Helia PHUNGALA, Delase CILIZA and Gladys MANZI (see FOCUS 16 p. 13) they were reported to be in detention in Johannesburg in December 1978. (RDM 18.12.78). Apart from brief periods of release they have been in custody under the security legislation, without being charged.
Other detainees known to have been held for a long time include many of the students detained as potential witnesses in the trial of the SASM II (see p. 11) and Peter JONES, held since his arrest with Steve Biko in August 1977. Jones is in Grahamstown prison and was the only ISA detainee not to be released in December 1978 when the others were freed (RDM 27.12.78).
The majority of those held in preventive detention under the Internal Security Act, mostly since October 1977 (see FOCUS 15 p. 6 and under BANNINGS) have now been released. At the end of 1978 there were still an estimated 150 people in detention under other security laws, plus those held under special legislation in the Transkei, Ciskei and Venda bantustans (RDM 20.12.78). These detainees are all held in solitary confinement without access to lawyers or relatives. In general families are not informed of detentions, nor of where detainees are held although they may sometimes be invited to supply clean clothing on a regular basis, which at least indicates that the detainee is still alive and where s/he is being held.
Among others released in recent weeks are Elias Masinga, acquitted in the Pretoria 12 trial (FOCUS 16 p. 13) and Super Moloi and Billy Masethla who refused to give evidence in the same trial (FOCUS 13 p. 6). Some of those detained in the Venda and Ciskei bantustans (FOCUS 19 p. 6) are reported to have been released, while others are still being held. Under emergency regulations, detention is for 90-day periods, renewable.
Sally Motlana, of the SACC, was released on 19 December.
NEW DETAINES CISKEI The following are reported to have been detained in the Ciskei under Proclamation R. 252: 15.8.78 Sizakele MATIWANE, of Transkei Dept. of Foreign Affairs, held for one week. 8.9.78 B.B. NTONGA (32) lawyer defending Beauty Lolwane against banishment order (see FOCUS 19 p. 16) 17.9.78 Vuyani MQINGWANA (30) high school principal in Peddie. early October Teboho MOHAFA, former CNIP member for Herschel Billie SIDIDI, businessman Chief KATSE, of Thornhill J.K. SAMELA D.N. NAZO Mr. MHLOMI 22.10.78 Tobile KAKAZA (17) son of Dr. H.S. Kakaza (see FOCUS 18 p. 8) who fled from the Ciskei in October when his detention order was about to be renewed (DD 24.10.78). Ms Khunjuzwa JIKWANA, member of Kakaza household.
TRANSKEI The following are reported to have been detained in Butterworth under the Transkei Public Security Act in early October: P.L. MSWELI, former mayor of Butterworth A.M. BAM, councillor and shopowner Joe VUSO, taxi owner J.C. MEI, assistant town clerk T. TOM D. MGOLOMBANE Three others Other detentions in the Transkei were reported in December: Mack MABOZA, formerly with PAC Synod MADLEBE Fr. F. MAKORO of Mt. Fletcher Mission. Fr. C. MOLEKO of Fairview Mission.
SOWETO The following persons from Soweto are reported to have been detained: 15.9.78 Rashaka RATSHITANGA, poet and AZAPO member, held in Sibasa, Venda bantustan. 20.9.78 Jabulani NGWENYA (22) of Soweto Students League Makweti NDLOVU, Soweto Students League 23.9.78 Ramey KABE (30) held under Terrorism Act 12.10.78 Norah SONO (28) sister of former SSRC leader Trofomo Sono, now in exile (erroneously reported to have been captured — see FOCUS 17 p. 6) held under Terrorism Act. Ms. Sadi PULE (28) 13.10.78 Ms. Ntombi Johanna FENYANE (34) who is crippled as a result of police shooting at the funeral of Jacob Mashabane in October 1976 (FOCUS 8 p.5.) 28.11.78 Simon MOSIKIDI (25) actor John BUTHELEZI (18) Frank DICHABA (35) Ms. Molly DICHABA Joshua MOERANE (28) Ms. Dipuo MOERANE (20) Elias MOERANE (24) Petros MOERANE (56) members of same family. Elias and Petros were released on 15 December. Agnes MANYAMA, at whose home a suspected guerilla was shot dead by police.
EAST LONDON Four members of the banned Black Peoples Convention were reported to have been detained in East London during November: Penrose POBANA Wele NONDZABA Tutu NGCABA Vunyani MPOZISWA
BENONI The following persons were reported to have been detained in Benoni on 20/21 November: Samuel MABOEA (29) N.V. NGWENYA (24) Linda MOLEHOMI (22) Bank clerk Dingaan SITHOLE Wellington MGUNQISA (24) Middleton HLONGWANE (22)
PRETORIA mid-December Martha Matsidiso LEGOABE (54) John LEGOABE, son of above Kate SEROKOLO (20) sister of above Martha LEGOABE (24) relative This family was taken into detention when police claimed that someone who disappeared in 1976 had recently returned home.
VEREENIGING mid-December Johannes Chabedi POOE (18) of Sebokeng Bernard MODESENG (21) former Soweto student. One juvenile, school student in Sebokeng.
VENDA More people were reported detained in Venda under Proclamation R276: 16.9.78 Albert MUDAU Titus NESENGANI Claas DALANE Edward KHARIDZHA Rutson MATHWATHANE 19.9.78 Vhulahani NEMAKONDE (28) principal of Ndarieni secondary school.
CAPE TOWN 19.12.78 Four boys aged 14–15 following the burning of disused railway coaches.
The mother of Timothy MABIDE (17) of Soweto, who was detained on 16 June 1978, was told at the end of September that her son was being held under the Terrorism Act. She was, unusually, allowed to see him and told to bring clothing for him to John Vorster Square once a fortnight. (Post 3.10.78)
Thami GQWETA (23) who has been held under the Terrorism Act since 19 October 1977, was, also unusually, allowed a visit from his mother to inform him of his father's death but not permitted to attend the funeral. (Post 30.10.78)
SUICIDE BID At the end of November Reuters reported that a South African detainee told a court that he had jumped five floors down a stairwell in order to kill himself rather than face assault during Terrorism Act interrogation. The youth, Wandile Glakasi (19) was charged and sentenced to six months' imprisonment for attempting to escape. No details of date or place were given in the press report. (Tel 30.11.78)
