Homosexuality In S.a. (Press, 5 September 1968)
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Summary: Homosexuality In S.a. (Press, 5 September 1968)
On 5 September 1968, a report released by a Parliamentary committee in South Africa, which investigated homosexuality, revealed that the practice was more widespread than previously acknowledged across various societal levels. Major F. A. J. van Zyl, a senior police official, reported to the committee that a police raid in January uncovered around 300 men at a gathering in Johannesburg, most of whom identified as homosexual. He noted that even seasoned police officers were shocked by the extent of the situation. Following this raid, police conducted further investigations that indicated homosexuality was more prevalent in schools, universities, and cultural organisations than society had thought, with Major van Zyl asserting that urban areas faced more significant issues concerning homosexuality compared to rural ones. He advocated for legislation criminalising homosexual acts, whether in private residences or public. In contrast, Dr J. A. Goebler, Deputy Secretary for Social Welfare and Pensions, presented a differing perspective based on a recent departmental survey. Although he acknowledged that the occurrence of homosexuality was likely underestimated, he argued it did not pose a direct threat to the broader community. He cautioned that if legislation were implemented to criminalise homosexuality, it could lead to the prosecution of many prominent and productive members of society, which would have negative consequences for the community. The discussions indicated a rift between law enforcement's concerns about the rising visibility of homosexuality and the social welfare perspective, which urged caution in classifying it as a criminal issue. Overall, these debates reflected societal tensions regarding sexual orientation and the need for legislative responses in South Africa during that period.
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