Botha, 82, Convicted, Given Suspended Jail Sentence
August 22, 1998 - 0:0
GEORGE, South Africa Apartheid-era President P.W. Botha was Friday found guilty in the magistrate's court here of contempt against South Africa's Truth Commission and was given a 10,000 rand (1,600 dollars) fine and a suspended 12-month jail term. The former president, who ruled South Africa with an iron fist from 1978 until 1989, was released on bail of 50 rand (eight dollars) after his lawyers announced he would appeal the verdict and sentence.