The Rivonia Trial: The Landmark Event that Changed South Africa Forever

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Who did the police arrest?
The police had found a number of senior leaders of the resistance,in the thatched cottage. Moreover, documents outlining Operation Mayibuye, and the resistance movement's plan for guerrilla warfare in South Africa, were found. All the men were arrested.

The arrested were Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Raymond Mhlaba, Andrew Mlangeni, Elias Motsoaledi, Ahmed Kathrada, Billy Nair, Denis Goldberg, Lionel “Rusty", Bob Hepple, Arthur Goldreich, Harold Wolpe and James “Jimmy” Kantor.

The symbol of 'Rivonia'
The police raid at Liliesleaf Farm on July 11th, 1963 was critical.The large number of senior ANC leaders' arrests was a major blow to the movement and the struggle for liberation. However, the subsequent trial, which became known to the world as the Rivonia Trial, finally focused world scrutiny on South Africa and its oppressive regime.

From the moment of the raid, the 'Rivonia' became synonymous with the silencing of resistance in South Africa. This trial however, sparked global attention.

What did Nelson Mandela say in his 3-hour speech from the defendant's dock?
"During my lifetime I have dedicated my life to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal for which I hope to live for and to see realised. But, my Lord, if it needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."

What was the result of the trial?
The defendants were sentenced to life imprisonment for sabotage.

Nelson Mandela was released from prison 11 February 1990 after over 27 years of unbroken incarceration.

"When we finished this 90-day interrogation period... the lawyers told us, 'Chaps, prepare for the worst. There is enough evidence to hang you."
Ahmed Kathrada

"This now proves to everyone who criticised the 90-day detainment law, that the government was correct by passing this legislation as we are able to now put our claws around the scourge of communism..."
Chief prosecutors

“Apartheid is better described as a policy of good neighbours.”
Dr. Verwoerd

"We were fighting against a system and not against . people... and not against white people most definitely not."
Goerge Molebatsi

The remaining Rivonia Trialists, until the unfortunate passing of Mr. Nelson Mandela on the 5th of December, 2013.