Mayan's Justice
The British Commonwealth of Nations is the loosest and least demanding of associations, but even so it is incredible to think that the Government of any country even nominally within it can seriously propose to make it an offence for anyone to protest against any law whatsoever or to encourage others in such protests. But so it is' with the South African Govern- ment's Criminal Law Amendment Bill, and if it is pushed by that Government on to the statute-book, any South African who raises his voice against what he considers to be injustice may call down on himself a fine of £300, three years' imprison- ment, or ten lashes, or any two of these. If one is found guilty of " inciting " others to protest, the penalties will be still more severe: a fine of £500, five years' imprisonment, fifteen lashes, or any two of them. For second offences either lashing or imprisonment is to be obligatory. Nor is this all. Letters and packages in the post may be opened if it is thought that they may contain anything likely to assist in defiance of laws. Whoever is found in the company of someone protesting or supporting a protest against a law will be presumed to be guilty himself unless he can prove his innocence. Separate trials will not be granted to those accused as a group. Anyone convicted who is not a South African by birth or descent may be deported and declared a prohibited immigrant. The term " incitement " is so defined in the Bill as to ensure that no one can utter or publish with impunity any sort of criticism of any law. All this is a negation of justice : it is its plain negation, and if the Afrikaners who support Dr. Malan wonder why they are subject to so much adverse criticism throughout the rest of the Commonwealth they should look again, before it is too late, at the terms of this Bill which they are confidently being called upon to approve.
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