The Rivonia Trial was a landmark event in South Africa’s history
Often referred to as “the trial that changed South Africa,” it set off a chain of events that eventually ended apartheid and rang in democracy and freedom from oppression.
"The Rivonia Trial: Outside The Palace of Justice" (1964), автор – Pretoria News LibraryPambili Media
What was the trial about?
The Rivonia Trial took place between 1963 and 1964, when 12 members of the African National Congress (ANC) were accused under the 1962 Sabotage Act, with sabotage and attempting to violently overthrow the South African government – crimes that carried the death penalty.
"Warrants of Committal Warrants of Committal" (1962-11-07/1964-06-12)The Nelson Mandela Foundation
Who were the accused?
After a raid by security police at Liliesleaf farm in the Johannesburg suburb of Rivonia in July 1963, many prominent leaders of the ANC and Umkhonto we Sizwe were arrested. The incident occurred three years after the ANC, the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) and other liberation movements were banned in April 1960.
Ten of the accused, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Nelson Mandela, Rusty Bernstein, Ahmed Kathrada, Denis Goldberg, James Kantor, Andrew Mlangeni, Raymond Mhlaba and Elias Motsoaledi were tried for 221 acts of sabotage and conspiracy to overthrow the State. The other two accused, Arthur Goldreich and Harold Wolpe escaped before going on trial.
"Govan Mbeki" (1963-07), автор – South African National ArchivesPambili Media
What were they accused of?
The keystone of the State’s case was a six-page plan of action called “Operation Mayibuye”, which was confiscated during the Liliesleaf Farm raid.
Operation Mayibuye was, in Nelson Mandela’s words, “sketched out in general form the plan for a possible commencement of guerrilla operations, and how it might spark a mass armed uprising” against the South African Government.
"Dennis Goldberg" (1963-07), автор – South African National ArchivesPambili Media
In gathering evidence to be used in the trial against the accused, the police were later also able to arrest others, including Dennis Goldberg and Nelson Mandela. At the time of the Lilliesleaf raid, Mandela was serving a five-year sentence for incitement and leaving the country illegally.
"Lilies Leaf Farm" (1963), автор – South African National ArchivesPambili Media
How did they get caught?
Nelson Mandela and the ANC members has organised a meeting on the 11th of July 1963 to discuss Operation Mayibuye, the plan to overthrow the Apartheid Government. This plan had been originated by Govan Mbeki and Joe Slovo. It was so secretive that only Nelson Mandela and a handful of his colleagues in the armed wing of the ANC knew of it.
"Lilies Leaf Farm" (1964), автор – South African National ArchivesPambili Media
Who tipped-off the police?
It was decided that on the 11th July 1963 it would be the last time they would meet at Liliesleaf. The leadership had been worried for some time that Liliesleaf could be exposed and as such, it was felt necessary to close operations and move to another farm.
Their decision to move to another location had been made too late. South African Police had already received a tip-off that Walter Sisulu would be at Liliesleaf. Walter Sisulu had gone into hiding as a result of a previous conviction. He was facing a five year jail term.
On the afternoon of the 11th July 1963 a dry-cleaning and flower van drove down the dusty farm drive way and stopped just past the Manor and slightly back from the Thatched Cottage. Someone in the Thatched Cottage had just opened the door and noticed the vans. As he was about to ask one of the farm labourers about the vehicles, armed policemen burst out of the vans.