MOVIES - March 9, 1987

The South African government banned Oscar-nominated “Witness to Apartheid,” a documentary on how political violence has affected South Africans, on Friday. Director Kevin Harris said he submitted the film to the Directorate of Publications 2 1/2 weeks ago; the government screening agency published its decision in an official notice, giving no reason for the ban. Harris said he would appeal the decision and hoped to have the ban revoked before the Academy Awards ceremony on March 30. His film was nominated in the best-documentary-features category.