COURT HOUSE; HERZOG AND PARTY; HERZOG TALKING TO CHIEF MAGISTRATE; DEFENCE COUNSEL.




Initials AB/VS/AW/MH



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Background: DR. ALBERT HERZOG, WHO WAS EXPELLED FROM SOUTH AFRICA'S NATIONALIST PARTY ON OCTOBER 4 AFTER CLAIMING THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS SPENDING GBP29 MILLION (STERLING) ON ITS SECURITY POLICE INSTEAD OF THE BUDGETED GBP2.3 MILLION, APPEARED IN COURT IN PRETORIA YESTERDAY.

THE FORMER CABINET MINISTER WAS ACCUSED OF REFUSING TO GIVE EVIDENCE AT AN INQUIRY INTO THE SECURITY POLICE (BOSS). PLEADING NOT GUILTY HE TOLD THE COURT THAT HE DID SO BECAUSE THE ENQUIRY HAD BEEN SET UP FOR A POLITICAL PURPOSE.

IF CONVICTED HE FACES A FINE OF GBP58 STERLING, SIX MONTHS IMPRISONMENT OF BOTH. THE COURT, PRESIDED OVER BY CHIEF MAGISTRATE A.J. MORTON, IS EXPECTED TO GIVE ITS VERDICT ON JANUARY 2.