Journalist Thami MKHWANAZI (38) and eight others from Atteridgeville, were all convicted of charges under the Terrorism Act on 12 March after their long trial in Pretoria Court. MKHWANAZI and J.K. MAJATLAPI (23) were sentenced to seven years each and the others accused, R.F. MAMOEPA (18), L.C. MOKONE (18), P.K. SENABE (22), A.M. PHALA (18), D.S. MATHE (22) C.M. LEEUW (18) and a 16 year old YOUTH were sentenced to 5 years each. They were charged with either being recruited or recruiting for military training.
Isiah Oupa SEGONE, a Soweto student was sentenced to 3 years' imprisonment in Johannesburg Regional Court on 12 March after being found guilty on 2 counts under the Terrorism Act. Two years' was for furthering the aims of the ANC and one year for participating in or being a member of the ANC. Segone was charged with distributing ANC pamphlets, approaching people to recruit them for the ANC and attempting to form an ANC cell in South Africa during 1979. He was also charged with being in possession of banned books.
Three ANC men were convicted of charges under the Terrorism Act at Kempton Park Supreme Court on 28 March. Ally Kholisile LUMKWANE (22) received 6 years on each of 3 counts, an effective sentence of 18 years. David Dumisani MADUNA (20) and Bonginkosi Patrick MAISELA (24) were sentenced to 5 years on each of 2 counts, to run concurrently, effective sentences of 5 years. The trial opened on 18 March before Justice van Dyk. Count one alleged that Lumkwane had undergone military training and had recruited 6 people for military training including his 2 co-accused. Count two alleged Lumkwane had trained people including Maduna and Maisela in guerilla warfare, and alleged that all three had planned to kill or injure people and cause damage to property. This included planned attacks on Dobsonville police station, a local magistrate and a police station in Whittlesea. Count three dealt with the possession of arms, explosives.
More details are available on this trial which was reported as concluded in FOCUS 27, p.12. Two of the four men on trial in Hermanus Regional Court under the Terrorism Act, R. SCHROEDER (25) and F. PHILLIPS (27) were convicted on the alternative charge of arson on 13 March, and jailed for 3 years each. Together with Schroeder and Phillips, James ISSEL (45) and Clarence JOHNSON (24) were acquitted of the Terrorism Act charge of endangering law and order.
The Soweto Students League trial at Kempton Park Circuit Court ended on 24 April with the conviction of the former General Secretary of the SSL Christopher MATHABE on 3 main counts under the Terrorism Act. The three other SSL members Collin KOTU (23) Simon MASHIGO (19) and Elias MODIGA were convicted on 2 main counts under the Terrorism Act and discharged on a third.
Chief Sabata DALINDYEBO was convicted on one charge under Transkei Security laws in Port St Johns Supreme Court on 1 April. He was sentenced to R700 (or 18 months) of which R200 (or 6 months) was conditionally suspended. The charge was that of violating the dignity or injuring the reputation of the President of the Transkei.
Six men were convicted in February under the Riotous Assemblies Act in Pietermaritzburg Magistrates Court for attending an unlawful gathering, failing to disperse and preventing others from boarding buses. The six accused, Dennis MAKHAZE (32) Alois MDLALOSE (18) Arthur ZONDI (27) Stanley ZONDI (28) Hezekia MKHIZE (24) and Mandla ZONDI (32) were fined a total of R220 or 150 days, except for Mdalose who was fined R110.
