AFRICAN RANSOM DEMAND
The demand of the South African government for payment of £331 by Dr. Kenneth G, Abrahams, under threat of throwing out his father and mother from their home, was met by a loan while funds were being collected. [See World” Outlook May 22 on appeal for help.] A two-week deadline on payment was set by Vorster, Minister of Justice. So,
"This is ransom money exacted by the state after I had been kidnapped by police thugs," Dr, Abrahams stated. "The demand was made'.on May 1, and the money had to be paid within two weeks, or the house they are now occupying would be attached and sold. Even now we have had no official notification,
"Not satisfied with having hounded us out of the country and having separated us from our family and children (whom we have not seen for nearly a year now), Vorster and his Special Branch are wreaking vengeance on my family for my 'crimes,'" Dr, Abrahams! crimes are political; namely, opposition to the apartheid policy of the Verwoerd government, ee
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The Scuth African police have persecuted the family for some time. "Last. year," said Dr. Abrahams, "the Special Branch invaded © my family's residence on more than one occasion in the predawn hours and rummaged through all their private belongings. -- even though I. had not stayed with them for seven months. Then the Special: Branch had the impertinence to enquire which furniture belonged to me and which to my;mother, as mine, they threatened, may be confiscated, - Recently they. have been making enquiries as to the whereabouts..of my duplicating and photostatic machines, allegedly used by the National Liberation Front, Apparently these must also be taken into custody,"
- STEP