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• Why South Africa put its leading Afrikaans poet on trial

  One of the most important political trials to take place in South Africa for some time began on Friday when Mr. Breyten Breytenbach, the avant-garde Afrikaans poet and writer, appeared in Pretoria's palace of justice on charges of terrorism and furthering the aims of communism - both capital offences. He has pleaded guilty to some of the charges and the trial is expected to end this week. Mr Breytenbach, who is arguably the greatest living Afrikaans writer and whose works are required reading in most South African universities, faces 14 main allegations by the state. Chief among them is that he planned to set up an illegal organization known as "Atlas" or "Okhela," whose aim, according to the 18 page charge sheet, was to hand over power to Black Africans or set up a "Communist" society. [Article continues with an exploration of unrest and political arrests in South Africa.]
• South African poet faces the death penalty

  Breyten Breytenbach, the anti-apartheid poet, was sent for trial in the Supreme Court today on charges carrying the death penalty. Mr Breytenbach, aged 36, is accused under the Terrorism and Anti-Communism Acts of helping to set up an illegal organization to promote armed struggle in South Africa intended to overthrow the white government... Mr Breytenbach is said to have been involved not only during his latest visit, but during a well-publicized visit in 1973, when he brought his wife. They are not allowed to live together under South African's racial laws.
• Nine years jail for Afrikaans poet

  Mr Breyten Breytenbach, the Afrikaans writer and poet, was today jailed for nine years by the Pretoria Supreme Court for taking part in "terroristic activities." ...Referring to the public apology which Mr Breytenbach made in court yesterday, the judge said he believed his testimony of regret was genuine. He also took into account that Mr Breytenbach's crime--the formation of an organization known as "Atlas" or "Okhela," whose aim was to overthrow the South African Government--never got beyond the discussion stage. However, violence could have resulted from the poet's actions, he said.
• More arrested in South Africa

  Cape Town, Sept 16 -- At least four whites and an African have been detained under the Terrorism Act, in a new wave of arrests by South African security police. The latest arrests are connected with the detention some weeks ago of Breyten Breytenbach, an Afrikaner poet, James Polley, a Cape Town University lecturer, and a number of student leaders.