DATE=6/15/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-233943
TITLE=SAF / BOTHA
BYLINE=DELIA ROBERTSON
DATELINE=JOHANNESBURG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  LAWYERS IN THE TRIAL OF FORMER SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT 
P-W BOTHA ON CONTEMPT CHARGES HAVE CLOSED THEIR CASES.  HOWEVER, 
AS V-O-A'S DELIA ROBERTSON REPORTS FROM OUR JOHANNESBURG BUREAU, 
MR. BOTHA PRESENTED  NO  EVIDENCE IN HIS DEFENSE.

TEXT:  P-W BOTHA'S LAWYERS TOLD REPORTERS THAT HE IS ASTONISHED 
THAT ANYONE WOULD CALL ON HIM TO APOLOGIZE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS 
ABUSES COMMITTED BY GOVERNMENT SECURITY FORCES DURING HIS 
PRESIDENCY.  ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU, CHAIRMAN OF SOUTH AFRICA'S 
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION, EARLIER IN THE TRIAL CALLED 
ON MR. BOTHA TO APOLOGIZE FOR HIS GOVERNMENT'S ABUSES.  THE 
LAWYERS REPEATED MR. BOTHA'S OFTEN-STATED CONVICTION THAT THERE 
IS NOTHING HE NEEDS TO APOLOGIZE FOR.

MR. BOTHA IS ON TRIAL FOR DEFYING A SUBPOENA FROM THE TRUTH AND 
RECONCILIATION COMMISSION, WHICH IS INVESTIGATING APARTHEID-ERA 
HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES.  THE COMMISSION WANTED TO QUESTION HIM ABOUT
THE CHAIN OF COMMAND IN CASES OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES COMMITTED BY
GOVERNMENT AGENTS.

IN PARTICULAR, THEY WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE ROLE IN HUMAN RIGHTS
ATROCITIES OF MR. BOTHA'S SHADOWY STATE SECURITY COUNCIL, WHICH 
WAS KNOWN HERE AS THE SUPER CABINET.  MR. BOTHA DID  NOT TAKE THE
STAND IN HIS OWN DEFENSE NOR DID HIS LAWYERS CALL ANY WITNESSES.

IN HIS CLOSING ARGUMENT, THE STATE PROSECUTOR SAID FORMER 
PRESIDENT BOTHA WAS WILLFUL AND DELIBERATELY DEFIANT IN FLOUTING 
THE COMMISSION SUBPOENAS.  HE SAID SUBPOENAS CAN ONLY BE 
OVERTURNED BY THE COURTS AND THAT MR. BOTHA HAD DELIBERATELY 
FAILED TO ASK SOUTH AFRICA'S HIGH COURT TO SET ASIDE THE 
COMMISSION SUBPOENAS.

THE JUDGE POSTPONED THE CASE UNTIL AUGUST WHEN HE IS EXPECTED TO 
DELIVER HIS JUDGMENT.  (SIGNED)

NEB/DAR/KL

15-Jun-98 11:12 AM EDT (1512 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.