IN SOUTH AFRICA

Hokitika Guardian, 30 September 1933, Page 5

IN SOUTH AFRICA

— A REINSTATEMENT CAUSES GENERAL SATISFACTION (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph-—Copyright.) LONDON, September 29. I'he Bechnauahukl chief 'J'shekedi, who was deposed for ordering a white man (Phines Mclntosh) to bo Hogged for sexual crimes against natives, has been reinstated.

Chief Tschc-koili’s reinstatement occasioned an astonishing demonstration at the Congregational Assembly at Xotting!nun. The audience rose to its feet and applauded, later singing the Doxology i.n thanksgiving. r I he 'Chairman, Doctor Sloop, said the news was such as to make the bells of heaven ring. BUG BY, September 28. The High Commissioner ordered a separate enquiry as to whether there has been ; a failure of the Administratration to deal adequately with the offences committed by Mclntosh and other Europeans in Scrowe. From this enquiry it appeal’s that during 1930-32, one conviction for assault against McIntosh and three against MoNamee were obtained in 1932. Complains by Tshekedi and other as to the association of Mclntosh and McXaince with native women woi’o temporarily dropped, owing to the Alcting-Chiof s failure to respond to requests to collect evidence, and the absence of evidence justifying action under proclamation No. 8 of 1929. In M.crch, 1933, on a complaint from a European, the 'Resident Magistrate severely reprimanded Mclntosh, in the presence of witnesses. No complaint wa s made t 0 the Resident Magistrate after this incident. On no occasion did Tshekedi refer 'to the conduct of 'these or any other Europeans, nor did he make any complaint as to the inaction or inadequate action by the Administration.

A Dominions Office communique stales : The High Commissioner has 'received from Tshekedi a communication in nvhich 'he stated; “I had n°t taken the -step regarding .Mclntosh with the intention of raising the issue on the point of jurisdiction affecting my Court, but. I had been compelled in the interests of just administration and the good of my people, to order the punishment of Mclntosh- I hereby abandon any right to deal with a case in which a European is concerned, and I undertake not to deal with any European case in future. In order to remove any misapprehension, I did not, .and will not, claim to be immune from the laws of the Protectorate, as now in force, or as may be hereafter dm force. No one could regret more than I do what has occurred, and I desire to assure the High Commissioner I would .at all times work in harmony and loyal co-opera-tion with the Administration.” 'lt was in view of the statements in the latter part of Tshekedi’s communication that the High Commissioner recommended to the Secretary for Dominion Affairs that His Majesty should he advised t 0 terminate forthwith,' the period during which Tshekedi was suspended.