The Wilby Conspiracy

The State accuses my client of violation|of the Terrorism Act.

Shack Twala...

...or Number 34,|as you choose to call him...

...was in his fifth year of imprisonment|when this act was passed by Parliament.

I put it to Your Worship that he|cannot be guilty retroactively.

Have we the prison record|of the accused?

We have, Your Worship.

- He's had 10 years at Robben Island?|- Yes, Your Worship.

Under what statute, Mrs. Van Niekirk,|do you contend that he cannot be guilty?

Section nine, article 11, paragraph two...

...of the universal declaration of human|rights of the United Nations, Your Worship.

Of which the Republic of South Africa|is a founding member.

The reality is that the laws of the Republic|of South Africa are made in Capetown...

...and not at the United Nations|in New York.

What is your position?

The defense requests a dismissal.

- Any objection, Dr. Schroeder?|- To the contrary.

The defense counsel's point|is well taken.

The State is withdrawing its case.

The Republic of South Africa is not|insensitive to the criticism leveled...

...against us by the world community,|however uninformed it may be.

We have therefore decided|to withdraw the charge...

...trusting that a greater justice|will have been served.

It is understood that the prisoner|will be released.

The State does not object|to that release.

Prisoner Number 34, otherwise|known as Shack Twala, is free.

This court stands adjourned for lunch.

Congratulations.

She got you off. Christ, man,|you should be dancing.

I will, as soon as I pick up|the new steps.

It's hard for him to realize|that he really is free.

- Jim Keogh, Shack Twala.|- Hello.

I'm very grateful, Mrs. Van Niekirk.

I'll take you to Antonio's|for a lovely victory lunch.

Let's all drive over to my office.

I've a bottle of champagne there|I've saved for this...

...but I never dreamt we'd open it.

I hope it is a big bottle,|I have 10 years to make up.

Yes, but slowly.

The same people still run things.|You've got to watch your step.

No, they have got to watch their step.

So says Number 34.

Good day.|Your identifications, please.

- Enjoying your holiday?|- Yes, very.

I think your country is wonderful.

- Your houseboy?|- My client. I'm an attorney.

- Let's see your pass.|- He was just released from Robben Island.

He's being issued a new pass|this afternoon.

- Do you speak English, boy?|- Yes.

Yes, constable.

Now then, without your lawyer,|do you have a pass?

- No.|- No, constable.

No blacks allowed on the street without|a pass. As a lawyer, you know that.

Now, get out and place your hands|on the roof of the car.

What do I do?

He's not under arrest!|You've no reason to handcuff him.

- Get out of the way!|- I want your name and badge number.

Mix with Kaffirs,|you get treated like one.

You bastard.

I'm all right.

We're dead men. Come on.

Let's report this to the authorities.

Those were the authorities back there.

I'm no criminal. I'll go to the British|Consul and tell them what happened.

- That you acted in self-defense?|- Well, it was. He was gonna kill me.

This can be straightened out.

By you going to prison for five years, plus|five for aiding a black in a criminal act.

For me, a one-way ticket|to the death block in Pretoria Central.

It will go down in the records|as another suicide by a Kaffir.

- What the bloody hell's a Kaffir?|- A black man in South Africa.

- There must be something we can do.|- There is, and we're doing it. Run like hell.

- Now, where do we drop you?|- Johannesburg.

How long do you think he'd stay free|with handcuffs on?

- That's his lookout.|- Also yours.

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