Mr Jacob Monnakgotla was detained under section 6(1) of the Terrorism Act on 29 January 1969 with nine other Bakubung tribesmen on charges of assault with intent to commit murder,after a dispute over a government proposal that, the tribe should be resettled in Ledig,between Elands River and Pilansberg. The dispute began in 1965 when the minister of Bantu administration and development announced the entire Bakubung tribe would have to leave their 74-year-old village at Molotestad and move to Ledig. Conflict occurred within the tribe with one group following Chieftainess Katherine Monnakgotla,who refused to move.
Mr Jacob Monnakgotla belonged to the latter group and,with nine others was accused of assaulting the chieftainess in an attempt to murder her.Subsequently the state withdrew its charges but re-arrested the ten under the Terrorism Act on charges of having conspired to upset the rule of law by in engaging in 'terrorist' activities.On the night before their court appearance on 11th September Mr Jacob Monnakgotla died in the Pretoria prison 222 days after his detention.
A district surgeon certified that his death was from natural causes(thrombosis) and no inquest was held.A fellow detainee and co-accused,Mr Marks Monnakgotla ,was granted a temporary interdict restraining the police from assaulting him.He alleged that police had beaten him and administrated electric shocks to him to coerce him to make a statement.Of nine accused,three were acquitted and six were found guilty of assault and sentenced to three years imprisonment of which two were suspended.
Behind Closed Doors. By Shireen Motala .South African Institute Race Relations.1987.