Democratic Progressive Party executive member Babini PIKASHE (49) of Engcobo was on 17 December convicted on two counts under Transkei security legislation and fined a total of R200 or 200 days' imprisonment in Umtata Magistrates Court. He was also sentenced to 50 days (suspended) on each count.
Pikashe, who first appeared in court on 24 September when he was allowed bail, was charged with having violated the dignity of the Transkei President in April 1979 in a letter he wrote to "Intsimbi" newspaper complaining that the President wished to deliver the people to an authoritarian police state. Pikashe was also charged with subverting the authority of the chiefs by saying they should be excluded from parliament. Pikashe repeated his statements in court when the trial opened on 1 November, and was duly convicted.
