On 29 November the Appeal Court dismissed the appeals of Ilona Kleinschmidt and Jacqueline Bosman against conviction and sentence for refusing to answer questions about a visit to banned Mrs Winnie Mandela.
Mrs Kleinschmidt was sentenced on 12 May 1978 to 3 months' imprisonment and Ms Bosman on 18 May 1978 to 4 months'. Both women began their sentences at Johannesburg Fort on 14 December.
In presenting the appeal lawyers argued that witnesses were entitled to protection against possible self-incrimination, and that the sentences were excessive. Two others who also refused to testify against Mrs Mandela, Helen Joseph and Barbara Waite, had their sentences reduced to 2 weeks and 2 months respectively. These arguments were rejected.
