NHUNHU SOLO An Eastern Cape student, 18 year old Nhunhu Andile SOLO was in January reported to have been sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment (3 suspended) by East London Regional Court. Solo was convicted of arson in the burning of a school near King Williams Town. Strictly speaking arson is a non-political charge and those convicted do not share the status and restrictions applied to political prisoners in terms of security legislation.
Three unnamed youths were acquitted of the same charge, and of intimidating others not to attend school, a charge on which Solo was also found not guilty. (Voice 27.1.79)
A 13-year-old witness told the court that he and others had been shown a skull wearing a hat and told by police that they would be killed if they did not make statements. They were then hit with a stick. (DD 17.11.78)
MVOVO AND MBILINI Two former detainees, Mololi MVOVO and Fumbathile MBILINI (see FOCUS 19 p.6) have appeared in court in King Williams Town charged with encouraging feelings of hostility between race groups through distributing Heroes Day pamphlets on 3 March 1978.
Both were remanded on bail to 22 February. A third man, Cliff MARAI, is also accused but failed to appear. (Voice 16.12.78)
DAVID RUSSELL The charge against Rev. David RUSSELL (see FOCUS 13 p.4) of producing an undesirable publication on the role of the riot police in Cape Town in December 1976 was withdrawn on the instructions of the Attorney. General in October. Rev. Russell was one of those banned on 19 October 1977. (RDM 27.10.78)
KALLIE KNOETZE CASE The heavyweight South African boxer, Kallie Knoetze gave evidence in a Pretoria magistrates court in November against a 15-year-old boy appearing on charges of public disorder and assault.
Stanley Popliza NDLOVU (who was not named in court) was acquitted of the charges that he was involved in stoning the police in Atteridgeville during unrest in 1977. The charges were brought after the boy had instituted a civil action against the police for the loss of his leg. The boxer, at that time Const. Knoetze, told the court that he had shot at the boy after being hit by a stone. "The boy tried to escape over the fence. I shot him while he was hanging there like a fly", said Knoetze. Ndlovu's leg was amputated and he spent 21 weeks in hospital. (DD 10.11.78; CT 10.11.78; Post 10/11.1.79)
Knoetze was later refused a visa to enter the United States for a boxing match; despite protests his appeal succeeded and the contest was allowed to proceed. (RDM 12.1.79)
