S. Africa Accuses Activist of Subversion : Releases Rev. Boesak on Bail and Curbs His Political Moves

A leading anti-apartheid activist, the Rev. Allan Boesak, was charged with subversion Friday under South Africa’s security laws and released on bail after being held by police in solitary confinement for more than three weeks.

Boesak, a founder of the United Democratic Front coalition of anti-apartheid groups and the president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, was arraigned unexpectedly in the small Cape province town of Malmesbury on three counts of subversion and one of organizing a prohibited gathering.

If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison on each subversion count.

He was then released on $8,000 bail on conditions that bar him from virtually all political activities. He is forbidden to attend public meetings, organize boycotts or strikes, speak at funerals or visit schools, speak to the press or leave the Bellville area where he lives near Cape Town. He must also report to police daily and may not leave home between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Botha Repeats Terms

In Pretoria, President Pieter W. Botha reiterated his refusal to talk with the outlawed African National Congress about the country’s future, saying that it first must renounce violence in its struggle against apartheid. He said it must also commit itself to “the process of reform by constitutional means” and break its ties with the South African Communist Party and the Soviet Union.

His government’s opponents here and abroad are trying to force him into talks with the African National Congress, Botha said, and deliberately ignoring the group’s aim of “an eventual socialist dictatorship.”

The president again rebuked business leaders who met in Zambia last week with Oliver Tambo, the congress’ president, and other officials of the black nationalist organization. He said that the businessmen’s efforts to open a dialogue failed “because no common ground could be found.”

More Reforms Promised

Botha said that his government will “try in a reasonable time to reach reasonable solutions to our problems with reasonable leaders” within South Africa. He ruled out any political system based on one-man, one-vote, as he has before, but added that further reforms would be outlined in 10 days at another party conference.

Boesak, 39, was detained by police Aug. 27, a day before he planned to defy the government and march on Pollsmoor Prison outside Cape Town where black nationalist leader Nelson Mandela is serving a life sentence for sabotage. Looking drawn and tired after his solitary confinement in Pretoria, Boesak was cheered when he emerged from the courthouse to chants of “Boesak, Boesak” by more than 300 supporters.

His detention had “immensely strengthened” his “commitment to free South Africa,” his wife, Dorothy, said.

Charges Detailed

Boesak, who was not asked to enter a plea at his arraignment, is accused of trying “to overthrow or endanger the state’s authority” by organizing consumer boycotts and student strikes in the Cape Town area.

He is also charged with subversion for allegedly calling upon foreign nations and companies to withdraw their investments in South Africa, marking the first time criminal charges have been brought against anyone for advocating divestiture.

A fourth charge involves his planning of the march on Pollsmoor in defiance of a government ban, and the prosecutor said that further charges may be brought later.

Thirty-eight other leaders of the United Democratic Front, a coalition of 650 groups opposed to apartheid, are currently on trial on charges of high treason and terrorism, which carry the death penalty.