South African Institute of Race Relations
in the chapter “Trials under security laws,” page 103
CASE AGAINST MESSRS. COUSINS AND NOTCUTT AND MISS BEHRMAN
Among those detained in Johannesburg during November 1971
were four young Whites. Messrs. Benjamin Cousins and Martin
Notcutt. Miss Eve Behrman. and Dr. Colin Marquard. Dr.
Marquard was released without being charged, but the others
appeared in a magistrate's court on 24 December 1971 on unspecified
charges under the Suppression of Communism Act. They were
released on bail of R500 each on condition that they reported
weekly to the police and surrendered their passports.
When they appeared in court a second time, on 31 January,
the hearing was postponed without evidence being led, at the
request of the prosecutor, in order that further investigations could
be made. They appeared again on 28 February. The case was then
once more postponed, until 13 March, when a trial date would be
determined.
On 13 March their names were called without response, and
a warrant for their arrest was issued. It transpired that they had
fled to Botswana, with Dr. Marquard. He and Mr. Cousins had
British passports, but Mr. Notcutt and Miss Behrman possessed no
travel documents, and applied to the Botswana Governnment for
political asylum. However, Miss Behrman qualified for British
Citizenship by becoming married to Dr. Marquard. Mr. Cousins
and the married couple left for England. Mr. Notcutt remained in
Botswana until July, when he was granted asylum and a refugee
document allowing him, too, to proceed to Britain.
