LOOKING BACK

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES 50 YEARS AGO

Even the most complacent of South Africans must have been shaken by the latest annual report of the Commissioner of Police. Our crime rate, always high, is increasing to staggering proportions. Between July 1969 and June last year more than two-million cases were sent for trial and even this enormous figure does not cover major crimes of violence such as murder, attempted murder, culpable homicide and robbery. A rise in reported crime can sometimes be accounted for by an increase in population or greater police activity. But probably neither of these affects the issue here. South Africans must face the grim conclusion that this is a country of violence and lawlessness. — May 30 1971

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES 25 YEARS AGO

Rhodes University journalism student Cathy O’Dowd, 27, yesterday became the first woman from Africa to conquer Mount Everest. But her triumph was overshadowed by fears for the safety of fellow climber Bruce Herrod. Last night British-born Herrod, the expedition’s photographer, was making his way down the mountain alone, by the light of a half moon and with bad weather threatening. A rescue party was expected to be launched at first light if Herrod failed to make it to the sanctuary of the tent camp — Camp Four — at 7,995m where an exhausted O’Dowd, expedition leader Ian Woodall and four Sherpas spent the night after their successful climb. — May 26 1996