Benjamin Pogrund, the former deputy editor of the Rand Daily Mail during the apartheid era, has heavily criticised the Jewish community for honouring Percy Yutar, the first Jewish Attorney General in South Africa and the man responsible for prosecuting Nelson Mandela.
Speaking at his Limmud session about what it was like as a journalist under apartheid, Mr. Pogrund said: "[Percy Yutar] was loved by the security police. They told me they loved him because he did their bidding. What they wanted, he did, including all his histrionics in court.
"He prosecuted Mandela, and although he later denied it, he created the climate in that court where the death penalty was a possibility. Nelson was only saved because throughout the world there were protests from governments.
"I declare a personal interest. During that trial he attacked me even though I wasn't a party to the trial. I sued him all the way to the highest court where I got damages against him. It didn't affect his career and the government paid his costs, but at least I kicked him somewhat.
