The former president of South Africa, P.W. Botha, has arrived in court in the town of George, to answer charges of contempt, for refusing to testify before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission about his actions during the apartheid era.

If convicted, he could face a maximum of two years jail.

Both the commission's chairman, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and President Nelson Mandela himself say they have tried every means possible to avoid the humiliation of taking South Africa's former leader to court.

But the BBC Southern Africa Correspondent says many people feel if Mr Mandela's former wife, Winnie, had to face nine days of gruelling testimony from her accusers at the Truth Commission, the same should apply to Mr Botha.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
 

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