- In a step that amounts to de facto recognition of their political status, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) decided last December to assist families of prisoners convicted of politically-motivated 'public violence' offences from 1 January 1988. Previously it had assisted only political prisoners officially categorised as 'security' prisoners. So far the ICRC has not been allowed by the prison authorities to visit 'public violence' prisoners. (WM 11.12.87)
- In October the Star published some of the findings of an academic study of general prison conditions which the South African Prisons Department had earlier tried to suppress. Restrictions on media reporting on prisons under the Prisons Act prevented a full account being published. The thesis reported harsh and unhygienic prison conditions, seriously overcrowded cells, assaults by warders and subsequent deaths. It dismissed as worthless visits by judges and magistrates which are meant to protect prisoners against abuse by officials. (Star 17.10.87)
In November a group of journalists visited Victor Verster Prison near Paarl in the Western Cape. This is a maximum security prison where thousands of detainees have been held under emergency regulations. The journalists were not allowed to see any of the remaining 19 detainees and were taken to only one section of the prison. A former detainee who was released shortly after the visit described it as a 'propaganda exercise'. (South/CT 19.11.87; Star 21.11.87; South 3.12.87)
- Mandla THEMBA was released from Robben Island after serving a five-year sentence for conspiracy to blow up TV installations in Johannesburg which was imposed in June 1982. His co-accused, Robert Adam, is still serving a ten-year sentence in Pretoria Central Prison. (FOCUS 41 p.7; Ind 7.11.87)
