Unit Tortured Blacks, S. Africa Officer Testifies

A white policeman testifying at the murder trial of two colleagues said today that his unit tortured blacks after arresting them without proper cause.

Constable Michael Neveling, in his fourth day of testimony in the eastern Cape Province town of Graaf-Reinet, said the unit placed plastic bags over suspects’ heads or forced their heads under water during interrogation.

Neveling was testifying against the squad leader, Warrant Officer Leon De Villiers, 36, and Constable David Goosen, 26. The officers are charged with two counts of murder, two of assault and one of attempting to defeat the ends of justice. Conviction on the murder charges could carry the death penalty.

2 Killings Described

In previous testimony, Neveling and Sgt. Heinrich Bloementhal have said a black man was stabbed to death and another shot execution-style during two forays by the 10-man unit into the black section of the town of Cradock on July 26, 1986.

They said the forays followed heavy drinking and a blood-oath ceremony by the unit members.

Neveling said today that the 18-year-old black who was shot had been apprehended because he was wearing a T-shirt with a political logo and because he ran when the officers approached. Neveling conceded that this and other arrests made at the time were improper.

The court heard this exchange between Neveling and B. P. Loots, one of two assessors assisting the judge in the non-jury trial.

Loots: “What did you hope to achieve by (the arrests)?”

Neveling: “You never know until you try. It’s pure luck if you get anything.”

Loots: “And if the person does not want to talk?”

Neveling: “You make them talk.”

Loots: How?”

Neveling: “As we did. Assaults, plastic bags and so on.”

Loots: “Is that legal?”

Neveling: “No.”

Loots: “You mentioned a water method?”

Neveling: “Yes, you hold them under until they talk.”