Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An appeals court on Friday upheld anti-apartheid activist Allan Boesak's convictions for stealing money from his charity and aid money donated by singer Paul Simon.
The court, however, dismissed one of Boesak's four fraud convictions and reduced his jail sentence to three years from six years.
The ruling by the Supreme Court of Appeal marked the end of the fall of one of the most visible foes of South Africa's former racist regime.
In the 1980s, Boesak helped lead the campaign for black liberation as a top official with the African National Congress. The former head of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches traveled the world to highlight apartheid's injustice.
But last year, Boesak was found guilty on four counts of fraud and theft involving 1.32 million rand (worth dlrs 400,000 at the time). He stole the money mainly from foreign donors to his Foundation for Peace and Justice charity, including Simon and a Swedish government aid agency.
Boesak argued that some of the money Simon had donated was meant to be a personal gift for him.
The appeals court Friday upheld the two counts of stealing money from Simon and another count of stealing money from the foundation. It dismissed Boesak's conviction of stealing money from the Swedish group.
Defense lawyers said Boesak had been punished enough by the collapse of his religious and political careers and by the huge expense of fighting the charges.
Just before his appeal was heard in March, Boesak's Cape Town home was gutted by fire.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments