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.

When they get him, why should he|protect you? They'll question him...

- In the Truth Room.|- He'd inform on his own father.

- And mother.|- 900 miles?

We've got to get out of here,|but first to Johannesburg.

- To chauffer you home?|- There is a man who will help us.

Us? Suddenly I've got a partner!|What the bloody hell do I need you for?

To get you out of the country.|I know who is reliable and who isn't.

He's right. You've no chance without him,|and he's no chance without you.

Accept that.

Now, you go north to Johannesburg,|cross the border to Botswana...

All right, all right, all right.

- What's the first step?|- Change cars.

- By now this one's been identified.|- And get off this main street.

The travel poster was right,|"Come to exciting South Africa."

This way. My husband's|other car is over here.

Now, this is the key to Blane's flat in|Johannesburg. The address is on the tag.

- Blane?|- Mr. Van Niekirk, it's his car.

- He's away, you'll be safe.|- Are you sure?

No, but I can't think of anything else.

Now, go quickly, and for God's sake,|look after yourself.

Home, James.

Exactly. I assume full responsibility.

I beg your pardon, sir. Most urgent.

All roadblocks withdrawn.|Yes, at all points. Thank you.

I don't smoke.

Wish I didn't. Can't stop. Tried to.

Did I hear correctly, Horn?|You want to withdraw the roadblocks?

Have withdrawn, sir.

You went over my head.|I'm district commissioner.

- Yes, it's on the door, sir.|- I'll not permit it.

Two of my constables assaulted,|seriously injured...

...while this white man|and the Bantu escape.

Yes, and your fault. Those two idiots|of yours made a mess of everything.

Your division was told to go easy|on pass checks.

- It could be awkward for you on the report.|- Report to whom?

Bureau of State Security.

I insist on a full explanation.

Yes, you've every right to insist on a full|explanation, but no right to be given one.

Major Horn, please get off my desk.

Your cigarettes as well.

Now then, you may be seated.

No, I have to be going.|Thank you, brigadier.

You see, what we've got here is a matter|of security, and the Bureau and I feel...

Well, we just can't give you|a high enough clearance.

This never-never land you're fighting|to preserve, well, it's waking up...

...young people.|A whole questioning generation...

...unsatisfied with the swill|you've been dishing up for 20 years.

You shout "national security" whenever|you do anything immoral or illegal.

And damn lucky for you we do.

Three million whites surrounded|by 18 million blacks?

Listen, we built this country.

Every town, every factory, every farm,|mine and Christian church.

I protect it, and that's the way|it's going to stay, because no Zulu...

...20 years out of a tree|will shove 50 cents in my hand...

...and tell me there's a freighter...

...waiting to ship me|out of the land I built, alrighty?

No, we built.

Don't you love your country?

Yes! But is it the same country?

were taken to hospital.

with a broken pelvis and fractured jaw.

and a white thug...

been made known.

This ends our news flash.

I don't like traveling with a white thug.

Is it considered bad form...

...to throw a handcuffed male Bantu|out of a moving car?

- Not in this country, it isn't.|- I'm glad to hear it.

How do your hands feel?

- They hurt like hell.|- Good.

That means no gangrene.

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