Two new major security trials have commenced since the last issue of FOCUS. Both involved people alleged to have taken part in guerilla action after undergoing military training, and alleged to be ANC members. The charges include attacks on the Sasol oil-from-coal refinery, and reconnoitering oil storage installations.
These two trials are among four currently taking place or recently ended in which the accused were charged with having undergone military training outside South Africa and of being connected with the ANC.
There are also two trials under the Internal Security Act of people accused of procuring, possessing and distributing literature of the ANC.
The Terrorism Act is being used not only to prosecute people who have been involved in military training or activities. Two trials under the Terrorism Act concern people involved in the school boycott and the demonstrations of last year.
In two of the trials witnesses refused to give evidence and were sentenced to long terms of imprisonment.
Apart from the major security trials, there are numerous trials arising out of the school boycotts of last year and meetings which took place during the ban on all political meetings in 1980.
Continuing industrial action and trade union activity throughout the country have resulted in a number of trials involving strikers and trade unionists. Lawyers commented in March that prosecutions of alleged strike leaders appeared to be a growing trend at present.
