At the commencement of your Commission's hearing of evidence, keen interest was
displayed by various adherents of the Scientology movement who gave evidence in regard to the
manner in which progress is made in Scientology training, the advantages derived therefrom and
in regard to the manner in which auditing leads to the achievement of the various Scientology
grades or releases. This initial interest gradually diminished and several persons who
initially indicated a desire to testify, ultimately abstained from so doing.
It accordingly often became necessary for Counsel designated to assist your
Commission in the presentation of evidence to take active steps to persuade various persons to
testify. It was, however, only necessary in a very few instances to issue subpoenaes to secure
the attendance of witnesses.
The founder of Scientology, Mr. Lafayette Ronald Hubbard, was to the best of your
Commission's knowledge at no stage subsequent to the appointment of your Commission and prior
to the completion of its Report, within the boundaries of the Republic of South Africa or the
territory of South West Africa. Accordingly your Commission was powerless to secure his
attendance at any of its hearings. No application was made on behalf of Mr. Hubbard to testify
before your Commission and no request was made to assist his entry into the Republic for the
purpose of attending any of your Commission's sessions. It is accordingly necessary to place
on record your Commission's regret that it did not have the benefit and assistance of testimony
and information from the founder of Scientology in regard to the wide field covered by its
terms of reference. Your Commission did listen to a recorded speech by Mr. Hubbard and did
view a film featuring him.
The documentary evidence available to your Commission was submitted to it either as
exhibits during the course of evidence or were obtained by your Commission directly from the
Church of Scientology or by means of resources at its disposal. The documentary evidence
submitted as exhibits are listed in annexure "C".
Your Commission is satisfied that the publicity given to the inquiry and its
deliberations drew adequate public attention to the subject of its investigation. The Church
of Scientology in South Africa (Pty.) Ltd., received unlimited opportunity of calling such
evidence as it desired to adduce and availed itself of the opportunity.
Your Commission has come to the conclusion that it is neither necessary nor desirable
to discuss in its Report all the evidence adduced before it. However, your Commission has
considered the import of all the information at its disposal. In arriving at its conclusions
and in making its recommendations, your Commission had regard only to the viva voce evidence
adduced before it and to books and documents which unquestionably emanate from official
Scientology organizations.
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