The largest wave of political trials in South Africa since the early sixties is Since late in 1974, now underway. white racisi rec me nas arrested scores of people opposed to apartheid, including Sack ana wate student ecaers, urade unionists, university lecturers & writers. Many of those arrested were detained -without any charges or trial - under the provisions of the Terrorism Act.
The most important of these political trials is that of the SASO nine, leaders of the all-Black South African Students Organisation (SASO) and of the Black Peoples' Convention (BPC). Their trial resumed in Pretoria last month, a year after their first appearance in court. They are charged with conspiracy under the Terrorism Act - a charge which can lead to a minimum sentence of 5 years in prison and to a maximum sentence of death.
In South Africa, the term 'terrorism' has a very broad definition and can be applied to almost anything the apartheid regime considers 'subversive'. Any attempts to obstruct the 'free movement ot trattic or embarrass ine 'zaminis.. ration of the affairs of Statel are seen as examples of the 'terrorism' the Act is designed to outlaw.
Campaign The case of the SASO nine is part of accoressive camoalon oirected aeains the Black student organisation and related groups inat nas been going on tor several years. in 1969 bv Black students who wantec their own organisation, the white-dominated National Union of South African Students (NUSAS). SASO adopted a Black nationalist outlook, publicly denounced the apartheid policies of the white regime emned foreign investments in South Afretoria did not formally outlaw the SASU as li did oiner anti-apartnerc organisations. Neverineless, OUT TO cestrov is crowine as SASO leaders were instrumental in orcantsine universily sil-ins' anc helping to set up other Black organIn 1973, eight leaders were lodiots 'banned' (i.e. prevented from attending meetings of travelling outside his or her town and publishing anything). Five more SASO leaders were soon to follow.
Such victimisation and harassment by the South African Security police against the SASO and the BPC was to force about sixty members to flee to neighbouring Botswana. they were not safe. In February, 1974, Onkgopotse Abraham Tiro, a former SASO leader at the all-Black University of the North at Turfloop, died by a parcel bomb in botswana the Durban and rifles, marchers, of arrests, is, ample of the indication that.
recently The SASO was formed independent of, this year!.
The and condwith Pretoria.
more than 3 people, Nations of 12.60.
Even there, In spite of this repression, the SASO and bry organised gemonstrations ir Turfloop, in 1975, in solstruggle in Mozambique. Although the "allies were banned. Ine burban one drew between 4000 and 5000 people. A large contingent of police, armed with dogs and clubs, attacked the injuring many & arresting fourteen. In the following days, the police carried out a nationwide wave detaining about 40 leaders of the SASO and BPC.
Some of the political prisoners were kept in solitary confinement for four months and were not allowed even to see lawyers or relatives. Thirteen of them were brought to trial early last year and were charged, under the means!. Of this thirteen, three have sunsecuentv been release• ano one other - Sadecque Variava - will be tried separatelv from the SASO none.
The present trial of the SASO nine merely the clearest exrepressive policies. There is every in the months ahead, the number of political prisoners will escalate still further. The February issue of 'Africal stated that, with the victory of the MPLA in Angola only 'observers believe that the South African government will tighten up internal security and clamp down ruthlessly on all serious opposition The growing repression against black nationalists in South Africa places a particular responsibility on socialists in Britain whose government 'props up! the white racist regime through economic and political aid. It means they should campaign ever more forcefully within the Labour movement to compel the government to break off all links FIGHTING FUND Many thanks to those of our readers last month, sent unsolicited don• We thought that if we asked, we inight get more. Having successfully launched Socialist Action as a monthly, our next objective is to publish it fortnightly. For this we need funds. So how about it? Target tibu per month
April 76 page