South African Series Presents - Cornelia de Wet

On Thursday August 20th at 12.00 noon CT (7 pm SA time) we will have Cornelia de Wet discussing her arrest and incarceration.

Cornelia De Wet became a South African political prisoner and victim of misrepresentation who was placed in South African prison. De Wet, an ordinary South African citizen, lived on a farm and abided within the parameters of the law until she joined a right-wing group known as the Leeuwag/Panzer Protection. The group worked to promote and assist white South Africans who were desperately in need of assistance.

Spending almost twenty one months in prison and incriminated with over 40 charges that were eventually withdrawn as the police did not produce enough evidence to proceed. The charge of possession of explosives and ammunition caused Cornelia De Wet to remain in prison, appearing in court a number of times and bail denied. Cornelia De Wet experienced the humiliation of being searched in front of the public while attending court.

Cornelia De Wet experienced the humiliation of being beaten by guards, terrorized at every opportunity and forced to take medication that caused severe complications. De Wet was refused the right to get medical attention and beaten for making a request.

Perhaps the most distressing experience for Cornelia De Wet was a rape ordeal while in prison. De Wet was in a single cell when two black police officers entered and grabbed De Wet. De Wet was forced to co-operate and had no choice but to endure the harrowing experience of rape. The police officers left the cell, and De Wet remained on the cold concrete floor for several hours.