On their release from detention on 27 February four executive members of Port Elizabeth Black Civic Organisation (PEBCO) were served with banning orders preventing them from continuing their political activities. The bans are due to expire in 1983. The four are: Phalo TSHUME, PEBCO secretary; Mono BADELA, PEBCO member and journalist; Dan QEQE, PEBCO member, local businessman and sports administrator; Thozamile BOTHA, PEBCO chairman and trainee draftsman with Ford Motor Company.
PEBCO came into being in October 1979 when a meeting of 800 residents in Port Elizabeth's African townships elected a steering committee to make representations over housing, rents etc. to the East Cape Administration Board. Thozamile Botha became chairman of PEBCO. Earlier he was chairman of Zwide Residents Association, formed in August to protest against high township charges. A former teacher at Kkwazakhele High School, Botha was detained in October 1977 after he organised fundraising for the legal defence of 474 pupils arrested at a Bantu Education protest meeting in Port Elizabeth. He was then tried and acquitted of incitement, lost his job and joined Fords. In November 1979 he was at the centre of an industrial dispute. His ban prevents him from resuming his employment.
