The trial of Paramount Chief Sabata DALINDYEBO of the Transkei on two charges under the Transkei's security legislation has been postponed to 14 March.
The trial had been set for 9 November in Port St. Johns amid great security precautions. All gatherings in the Transkei were prohibited until the end of the trial, and three sons of Dalindyebo were taken into detention, two being later released. On the eve of the trial Chief Dalindyebo was taken to hospital in Umtata suffering from diabetes and hypertension. The trial was postponed and bail renewed on condition the Chief reports to the police every morning.
Pamphlets circulated in Transkei calling on students and workers to stay at home on 9 November in sympathy with Chief Sabata, "a man of peace who will be appearing in court for speaking the truth construed as treason". Those who defied the boycott were warned "when our army dethrones Matanzima you also will be doomed" and students were urged to "involve ourselves totally to the liberation struggle. We have been quiet for so long that KD (Matanzima) thinks all Transkei students are afraid of him. Let us correct this mistake".
