UPDATED: 13/06/2024
13 June 1876, Kimberley’s first black policemen, 50 Zulus, arrive for duty.
13 June 1902, Reception for General Sir John French at the City Hall.
13 June 1964, Neville le Cordeur inaugurated as Lions Club President.
13 June 1975, Robert Sobukwe admitted as an attorney in Kimberley.
13 June 1980, Galeshewe born and educated MK operator Leonard Tebogo Tume (Norman Nkosi) killed in Soweto.
Pictured at the admittance of Robert Sobukwe as a lawyer were, from the left, H N Hendler, Robert Sobukwe and H Z M Nzimande.
Robert Sobukwe admitted as an Attorney
Kimberley’s banned former Pan Africanist Congress leader, Mr Robert Sobukwe, was yesterday [13 June 1975] admitted as an attorney in the Northern Cape Division of the Supreme Court.
There were smiles and congratulations all round from friends and colleagues after the ceremony.
The application was put before Miss Justice Leo van den Heever by a city advocate, Mr H N Hendler, who was instructed by Mr Sobukwe’s lawyer, Mr H M Mzimande.
Mr Achmat Laher, a city businessman and friend of Mr Sobukwe said being an attorney “…would be a mode of living for the modest man, and I am sure it would give him great satisfaction being able to serve his people.”
Mr Sobukwe had no immediate plans for further studies, but pointed out that he was sure he would like to be admitted as a notary.
Although his banning order restricts him to the magisterial district of Kimberley between 7pm and 6am, he will be allowed to represent his clients in court. The order has been relaxed, but no newspaper will be allowed to quote or report what he says in court.
Mr Sobukwe was imprisoned on Robben Island for nine years under provisions of Act 44 of 1950.
A police security spokesman yesterday said that Mr Sobukwe also had standing permission to attend night film shows in Kimberley.
(from the Diamond Fields Advertiser of 14 June 1975.)
13 June 1876, Kimberley’s first black policemen, 50 Zulus, arrive for duty.
13 June 1902, Reception for General Sir John French at the City Hall.
13 June 1964, Neville le Cordeur inaugurated as Lions Club President.
13 June 1975, Robert Sobukwe admitted as an attorney in Kimberley.
13 June 1980, Galeshewe born and educated MK operator Leonard Tebogo Tume (Norman Nkosi) killed in Soweto.
DID YOU KNOW
In the early days of the diamond fields, Nicholas Waterboer’s territory known as Griqualand West came under the protection, and indeed, was taken over by the British colonial government. The rush of diggers looking for instant wealth saw settlements springing up all along the Vaal river and the Frontier Armed and Mounted Police, based at Kenhardt under command of a Captain Jackson, were ordered to the diggings to establish and maintain law and order until a permanent police force could be organized. This was complied with but it was only in September 1872 that a proclamation was issued to organize and regulate a police force for Griqualand West (including Kimberley).
Many members of the same Frontier police became members of the first police force, including Inspectors McLean, McKenna and O’Connor. On 26 May 1873 a mounted force was organized and named the Griqualand West Mounted Police. Just over a year later the entire force was re-arranged into the following categories: Mounted Police; Town Police (including detectives); Rural police; and the Convict Police (including gaolers, turnkeys, and special constables).
Well-known law enforcers at the time were Inspectors G. Percy, O. Back, G. Back and G.R. Bradshaw. Major Maxwell was appointed the Inspector of Prisons.
50 Zulu constables arrived from Zululand on 13 June 1876, and were known as Mr Maxwell’s “Zulu Convict Guard”. Other reports suggest that they were already here in early June, and were being called the “coloured peelers”. The Daily Independent suggested that “we hope that this addition to our protecting forces will have the desired effect…”
In 1880 the mounted police were incorporated into the Cape Mounted Rifles, and later the police in the Cape Colony were organized into Districts, Kimberley becoming the HQ for Cape Police II, the patrol region stretching up to Mahikeng (Mafeking). On 1 January 1913, three years after the Union of the Cape, Orange Free State, Transvaal and Natal, the South African Police came into being.
From Kimberley Calls and Recalls on Facebook By Steve Lunderstedt
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