Two leaders of the National Democratic (Nationalist) Party of Rhodesia went on trial at Inkomo military base, 30 miles from Salisbury, Aug 24, on charges involving the contravention of public order. The trial had been transferred from Salisbury to avoid possible disturbances.

Though police outnumbered Africans at the trial, there was a short scuffle between them at the approaches to the court while inside the principal defendant Michael Mawema, President of the Party, made an appeal to them to keep calm.

Inkomo is in a rural setting. Magistrates used a tent as "private rooms" and one case - that of Party treasurer Sketchley Samkange - was heard in a converted sergeants' mess.

The prosecution alleged the two leaders had made statements promoting hostility between races and disturbing the colony. The defendants denied the charges maintaining they only attacked in nationalist speeches the Government but not Europeans. Evidence was to be called the following day.