Five awaiting trial prisoners in Johannesburg Fort applied for a court order against the prison authorities in March, alleging unlawful conduct. They claimed that they had been held in isolation in cells measuring 1m x 2m, causing deteriorating health and depression; that no proper time or facilities had been allowed them to prepare their defence cases; and that unjustified punishment had been imposed on them. The court was asked to declare their detention in isolation illegal, but after assurances were given that conditions would improve, with adequate time allowed for the preparation of defences, two visitors twice a week and a daily newspaper, the case was postponed indefinitely.
The applicants were Kerwin Zwane and Jan Malatji, charged under the Suppression of Communism Act; Kehla Shubane and Gordon Modisela, charged under the Terrorism Act; and Isaac Siko, charged under the Sabotage Act.
