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- 1976 - (Creation)
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walk out with him. Almost the entire crowd marched out leaving behind Robert Sobukwe and his men on the platform and the Security Police. The PAC fared no better in this city when the demonstrations were launched. Similarly the campaign completely failed in the Orange Free State and was centred in Johannesburg, Vereeniging and Cape Town. A handful of people were also arrested in Pretoria.
Sobukwe and his group were arrested and charged before a Johannesburg magistrate. He fought the case on the militant slogan "No bail, No defence, No fine" and he used that forum to launch a vicious attack on the ANC, accusing us of wasting money on lawyers ti defend political cases, of lack of militancy and of misleading the people, remarks which were widely reported by the press. He was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment without the option of a fine. Others received comparatively lighter sentences. These heavy sentences came as a shock to all the participants, who had expected to receive but a few weeks.
No less than 300 members of the PAC were convicted and most of them were sentenced to 3 years but with the option of a fine. Amongst them was Matthew Nkoana, an able journalist whose articles I often found stimulating. In spite of the slogan "No bail, No defence, No fine" he and many others served only part of their sentences after which they paid the fines.
Later Sobukwe appealed to the Transval Supreme Court on the ground that the sentence was severe and argued his own case. In dismissing the appeal, the presiding judge reminded him of the