From the book: A Documentary History of Indian South Africans edited by Surendra Bhana and Bridglal Pachai
Aboobaker Amod and three others submitted the following petition to the O.F.S. Volksraad in May 1887. They were, like the authors of the previous petition, Gujarati Muslims from India, not 'Arabs'. Their complaint was directed against the restrictions of Ordinance 1 of 1885. Source: V.R. Annexure to Minutes, vol. 3, no. 301, 1887, pp. 50-3.
The humble petition of the undersigned Arab traders who are at present, or who have been recently, trading or conducting business in the Orange Free State. Respectfully inform that
1.Petitioners are denied the privilege by Ordinance 1 of 1885 to rent or to buy immovable property.
2.The mentioned Ordinance has made no provision in favour of Arabs who held land in lease or otherwise at the date of the Ordinance.
3.His most Honourable the President by virtue of the power entrusted upon him by the Ordinance has permitted the existing businesses to continue until the end of 1885 and eventually until the end of 1886.
4.Petitioners have obtained and paid for trading licences for the year 1887.
5.Petitioners however were stopped by the Government to utilize the licences due to the regulations laid down by the Ordinance.
6.The landlords of petitioners have notified petitioners to terminate their tenure due to pressure put on landlords.
7.The landlords explained that the reason for this notice was that they would be liable to a fine of £100 each if they would permit their Arab tenants to remain in possession of house properties.
8.Petitioners humbly propose:
(a) that even the name of the Free State could lead one to conclude that all men have equal rights;
(b) that the rent paid by the petitioners throughout the Free State should be regarded as a contribution to the wealth of the State;
(c) that competition in trading, which will be eliminated to a great extent when the Ordinance is implemented, reduces the price of commodities and is therefore to the benefit of the consumer;
(d) that the petitioners who are subjects of the English Queen, between who’s Government and the Government of the Free State exists a cordial relationship, have the right to be treated equally with other subjects of Her Majesty in the Free State.
Therefore your petitioners humbly wish to request the Honourable Council to take into account the oppression that the petitioners have to suffer due to the proclamation of the Ordinance and to render assistance in accordance with the constitution and principles of a State founded on freedom....