It is evident that unusually severe sentences are being handed down by special courts martial. In addition to the death sentences referred to above, notable cases include those of a 15-year-old boy, BIDO CHITSEDZA, and a 16-year-old, DUSTER KATANHA, both sentenced to life imprisonment and 12 cuts for allegedly assisting guerillas as 'mujibas'. It is highly unlikely that such a harsh sentence would ever have been passed by an ordinary civilian court.
In the letter from the Secretary to the Cabinet dated 30 August and referred to above, the regime has stated that it regards special courts martial as necessary in the present circumstances and that it intends to retain them.
JOSEPH DALOZA MOYO was sentenced to 7 years imprisonment, and JONAT SIGODO MOYO to 6 years, for attempting to go for guerilla training. They had been convicted on 28 May by the Tjolotjo Magistrates Court.
THEMBA NTULI (16) was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment (2 suspended), while PAUL LUNGA (20) and NTHANIEL NTULI (25) were each sentenced to 6 years (2 suspended), for attempting to leave Rhodesia to undergo guerilla training.
SIMON NCUBE and LUKA LUBAMBO were each sentenced to 2½ years imprisonment, and ROBSON LUBAMBO, FAYISON LUBAMBO and PETROS NCUBE each to 2 years, on conviction of assisting to murder an alleged 'sell-out'. Simon Ncube had previously been sentenced to death by a special court martial.
DAVID MUKEREDZI was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment (2½ suspended) on conviction of failing to report guerillas in May 1978. He was acquitted on a main charge of assisting guerillas.
PINARI NLEYA (18) was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment on conviction of possessing arms of war. According to a statement of agreed facts Nleya and his brother were taken to Botswana by a group of guerillas in December 1977. Nleya subsequently underwent seven months of guerilla training in Zambia. He entered Rhodesia with a guerilla group in August 1978 and was captured by security forces three months later at Makuvalo Kraal, Sanyati TTL. In passing sentence the court took into account the accused's youth, assessed by a dental examination.
