WanT TO JAIL". from CONTACT 18th Oct 1962,
In June this year Protoria journalist Peter Motsoane experienced what happens to thousands of Africans overy day in South Africa. He was arrested and charged with a oass offence, Because his occupation was not one understood by the type of official in a oass office his pass was overstamped "Tsotsi-loafer". Ho was arrested again this month. ‘On londay 8th Uctober , I was again arrested for being a loafer and sentenced to R4 or 20 aySe I was to be sold to a farmor in Hrmelo, I understand.
"This time I was arrested outside a firm that has just opened and had promise’ 12 a job there. While waiting at the gate for the personnel officer to supply me and som: ther Africans with engagement documents, the Kwela Kwola arrived and I was picked up for Looking for work withour a permit. Four of my collcasues were left frece "I was taken to the Marataatad police station with more than 30 others where I wa: fined R44 As I did'nt have it, I spent a very unpleasant time there. I was given a heavy clap for not being ‘sharp! when called to lead a line of prisoners. I was told this is not my mother's home. We were all searched and those found with knivos had extra charges added to them. I was arrested at 9.35 asm. and had my first meal of badly cooked tasteless, stiff porridge when it was only dark. The porridge was dished out on our bare hands and it was take it or leave it. "We spent the night without blankets and used our remaining clothes as cover, Ve were only provided with mats and there was a latrine bucket in the cell. The last meal before we went to court was dished the same way the next day. An Influx Contro? policeman kept beating me us with a cane for being slow. lly back is aching right nov, At the Bantu Affeirs covrt on 9th October I received a sharp blow from a constable an¢. as a result my right eye drips with tears. I was told I was a small man, and the police were not afraid of me — wheter I had a B.A. or Matric, they'll put me straight. I spent a week in hospital recovering and I've asked the people who paid my fine to Wait uatil I get employment before I repay the debt. I still don't know what will happen to me. I!Vi COMMITTED NO CRIM EXCEPT TO TRY TO GST WORK.