LOOKING BACK

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES 50 YEARS AGO

Policemen stood by in force as about 700 people of all races, including about 60 whites, met at Curries Fountain, in Durban, to protest against the bans on David Hemson, David Davis, Halton Cheadle and Mrs Jeanette Murphy, four young whites who had been promoting African trade unionism. Thirteen police vehicles were parked nearby. Mr Barney Dladla, the outspoken KwaZulu Councillor for Community Affairs, said the bannings seemed to be an attempt to stifle African trade unionism. “We have always been told that this is a democracy similar to those overseas, but I cannot see any difference to what is being done behind the Iron Curtain,” he said. Dr Alan Paton was chairman of the meeting [and] speakers included Mr BB Cele, chairman of the Clermont Residents Association, Mrs Harriet Bolton, secretary of the Garment Workers Union [and] Mr Charles Nupen, president of Nusas. — February 10 1974

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES 25 YEARS AGO

Disgraced lawyer Ramesh Vassen yesterday bailed out of his diplomatic posting in India, facing a public outcry over his crooked past. However, the Public Protector, Selby Baqwa, will go ahead with the investigation into how a person found by the High Court to be too dishonest to act as a lawyer had been appointed to the post of Consul General. “This will not affect our investigation at all,” said Advocate Stoffel Fourie of the protector’s office. An unrepentant Vassen said yesterday he had advised the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Alfred Nzo, of his decision to resign from the post. He was, however, convinced he had done nothing wrong in “borrowing” money from a trust fund. — February 7 1999