Ÿþm Icrosoft W
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Scope exiehded Scope exiehded He pointed out that he had already extended the scope of the inquiry to all the riot areas in the country and that he did not feel that there was anything 'else he should do, Mr Kruger said he had not been given any cogent reasons for, hiving different inquiries., Sir De Villiers Graaff, Leader of the Opposition, said in a statement that separate inquiries were held into the Sharpeville and Langa riots. 'As then there may well be- common cause for the outbreaks of violence in the Transvaal and the Cape, but simultaneous judicial coninissions should have no difficulty in co-ordinating their findings in these respects.' Mr Colin Eglin. leader of the Progressive Reform Party, said all the circum. stances pointed to the need for a ,separate inquiry in relation'to the Cape, CA APE -OWN City Counil,4ti.: ,ak'lie Prinme Miniuistekt ,KMr $., J. ,,iorqter; to SOet up a, spieai.judA Inquiry -:separate from 'the Cillie Commission, A- to mvesti. gate the riots in the Peninsula. The coundil wants special reference to allegations of 'indiscriminate use of force and firearms by the police.' The council decided on '' 'direct' approach to the Prime Miniter at its monthly meeting today, unaware that the Minister of Police, Mr J. T. Kruger, had turned down other calls for a separate inquiry only hours earlier. The council's decision was based on a motion by Dr John Sonnenberg. it followed an earlier motion, withdrawn by Mr Tom Walters, referring specifically to an investigation into allegations of 'excessive police action against children.' Mr Walters said 22 of 70 riot victims-a number not refuted by authbrlties - were children under 16. 'This is a blot on Cape Town, a blot on the police, and it should be explained,' he said. All the councillors who spoke in support of the separate inquiry emphasized that they were not pointing fingers at the police, but that the serious allegations had to be examined thoroughly by the Government Precedent Mossop and Mr Charlie Steyl. 'The" Argus ,Political Correspondent reports'that a spokesman at the Prime Minister's office in Pretoria said today that Mr Vorster would not react to the request until he I had received something in writing from the Cape Town City Council's Executive Committee, The- spokesman said this was standard practice. KrIuger Earlier today Mr Kruger turned down calls for a separate judicial inquiry into the unrest in the Cape. He was not available fur comment after the City Coincil decision. Mr kXiger said -that the scope of the inquiry of a one-man commission, Mr Justice P. M. Cillie, had been broadened to include all riot areas in the country. The commission was originally appointed to investigate only the Witwatersrand riots. Both The Argus and The Cape Times have published editorials asking for a separate inquiry. 'These calls have been suppotted- by. political leadbrs" and - prominent citizenst of; CapeTowp-. d ti atelephone interiew C onfidence lost 'There is no'.doubt that , ton, f, the cohirniunity i'as.' lost 'tle cdnfidence of 'the olice.' 'and uiless it is,' xestored ' speedily thq fabric of race relations will b.e. irreparab 1y damaged. , ' ,Mr . Dick Friedlahcddh saidthatwhat hadtto be looked ihto was why these events oceurred. Mr Eulalle Stott said the ban on ,open-air gatherings could have made the task of the polce more difficult. The decision to outlaw outdoor meetings should be reconsidered because the Coloured peojile had no other way to voice their feelings. they are not listened'to when they go to see officials., Mr Walters said the urgent'aspect of the riots Was allegations of-police action, so' he had con. fined his initial motion to it. Causes The causes had already been investigated. 'This area has already been co. avered, and it took t h e .Theron Commission three years.' Mr Gerry Ferry Said the only reason,he did not op. pose the motion was that it would give authorities.