Dr. Nevilee Alexander, one of the eleven people sentenced by the Cape Court last April to terms of imprisonment ranging from five to ten years, has been physically assaulted by warders at Robben Island. After receiving ear injuries which necessitated medical treatment, Alexander was placed in solitary confinement, along with four other prisoners who witnessed the assault. Robben Island - Verwoerd's concentration camp - houses over 900 political prisoners, including Nelson Mendela and Robert Sobukwe, the Pan-African leader. Sobukwe was sentenced to three years' gaol after the Sharpville massacre, Although his sentence has now expired he has still not been released.
When the Alexander defendents appealed to the Cape court in May, Judge van Heerden refused them right to appeal. He did, however, grant 'special entries! in the record, because of what the defence claimed were irregularities and illegalities at the trial. Because of this they can now : appeal to the Supreme Court at Bloemfontein. Cyril Jacobs, who had the charges under the sabotage act against him withdrawn by the Cape Court on June 5 writes: 'to petition the Chief Justice, Bloemfontein Supreme Courts to grant the main appeal would involve additional expenses and as our financial position stands it is impossible for us to finance this. _Please help us in collecting any possible funds,'
The chief defendant's mother, Mrs. Dobeta Alexander says: 'a lot of money goes to pay for court records. Please let us knOW if any funds have been collected to help us further,!
Readers of ‘The Week will I am sure be interested to know that a public meeting has been called in London at Caxton Hall on Friday, Sept. 4, [30 to help to publicise this case and to raise funds for the defendants. Donations for the Alexander Defence Appeal should be addressed to its acting secretary:
C. Kirkby,
27, Thursley House, Holmwood Gardens,
London S.W. 2.
Tickets for the meeting and credentials for delegates can also be obtained from the sam address.