page 348 - Long Walk Original Manuscript [LWOM_348.jpg]

verbal exchanges the agents of law and order learnt that the black man was Mr. Nokwe. This only served to enfuriate them further and they severely assaulted him. Had Advocate Nokwe not learnt how to behave before his superiors! After spending a little time in hospital Duma instituted civil and criminal proceedings against his assailants. The policemen were acquitted of any criminal offence but the Minister of Justice settled out of court the civil action by paying Duma £1000 damages.
ADD THE FOLLOWING AT THE SUITABLE CHRONOLOGICAL PLACE

In 1949 tragic riots broke out in Durban between Africans and Indians resulting in the death of a number of Indians and the burning and looting of scores of business and buildings. Many Africans were also shot as a result of police action. The disturbances were sparked off by a relatively minor incident between an African boy and an Indian. The riots have been attributed by some as having been caused by the existence of anti Indian feeligns among Africans arising out of their exploitation by Indian traders. Indians have also been accused of treating Africans with contempt. On the other hand the existence of extreme nationalistic feelings among the Africans has been sighted as a probable cause.

There may or may not have been an element of truth in the above reasons. But to proceed along this line of investigation would be side tracking from the real issue. The primary causes for the riots must be sought in the social system itself which is based on the engendering of racial feelings, suspicions and hatred. In particular one must view the riots in the background of the happenings of