(a) Mr. Hubbard circulated to Executives in Scientology Organizations a
report from Mr. John McMaster re progress in South Africa. this
document inter alia refers to Dr. Meiring Naudé whose interest
Mr. McMaster allegedly roused in regard to Scientology and states:
"Well, as he is the Head of the Council of Scientific and
Industrial Research ... we have now pervaded a vital area in South
Africa, and you will have many friends there."1a ø
The same report extols the activities of one Mr. Du Plessis on behalf
of Scientology such allegedly including interviews by Mr. Du Plessis
with the late Dr. H.F. Verwoerd, Prime Minister, Union of South Africa,
as the Republic of South Africa then was and also the Admiral of the South
African Navy. The report concludes:
"You asked for strong Orgs in South Africa. You will get them
and there will be a friendly reciprocity of flow with the Government."1b
(b) Mr. Hubbard, according to copies of correspondence submitted to the
Commission, revealed no diffidence during his sojourn in South Africa
in addressing the late Dr. Verwoerd and bestowing praise on him, e.g.:
(i) "Having viewed slum clearance projects in most major cities
of the world may I state that you have conceived and created in the
Johannesburg townships what is probably the most impressive and
adequate resettlement activity in existence. Any criticism of
it could only be engaged upon by scoundrels or madmen and I know
now your enemies to be both."2
(ii) "Those who understand are never swayed by vicious writings in
the English press.
To cope with those who could be swayed we work ceaselessly
to secure communication lines to create an image closer to the fact.
We are doing everything we can to change the complexion of
the English language press and in a very few months we hope to
have the means of completely altering this public image.
Peace with strength can yet save, with your undaunted leader-
ship, South Africa.
Meanwhile we sincerely hope that vileness such as that in last
________
1Hubbard L. Ron: HCO Executive Letter of 16 August 1966. Confidential. Hubbard Communications
Office, East Grinstead, Sussex, England, a) p. 1; b) p. 2.
2Hubbard L. Ron: Executive Director: Copy of letter to The Hon. Dr. H.F. Verwoerd, dated
November 7th, 1960, Johannesburg.
øIn an affidavit dated the 8th day of July 1969 at Pretoria submitted to the Commission, Dr.
Naudé negatives any suggestion that he was impressed by any aspect of Scientology.
59