In 1979 a total of 133 people were hanged in South Africa. Of these, two were white, 33 Coloured and 98 African. This is the highest number of hangings since the Union of South Africa was established in 1910. In 1911 the number hanged was 57 and the figure has risen steadily; in 1978 the total was 132.
The daily average number of prisoners in South African jails is 99 292, and the ratio between people in custody and total population is the highest in the world. Brigadier M.B. Bosman o/c Victor Verster prison near Paarl in December 1979 told delegates to a youth conference that in the course of the year 258 957 people had been sentenced to jail terms. In addition, in 1979 246 435 persons had been in detention awaiting trial. A total of 247 prisoners are serving life sentences including 36 political offenders.
