Government statements in May and July, clarified conditions for the early release of political prisoners and indicated a focus on the possible effect a prisoner's freedom might have on the community.
In May P W Botha stated that early release was dependent on the prisoner 'renouncing violence', agreeing to 'take part in constitutional talks' and refusing to 'use any political organisation with violent means to achieve political goals'. According to the Minister of Justice, factors taken into consideration were: a prisoner's age, state of health, their renunciation of violence and the effect their release might have on society.
The Information Minister stated on 18 July that 'renunciation of violence is not the deciding factor. The whole circumstance of South Africa and of the specific person are considered'. Referring to Mandela, he said that the possible repercussions of his release made it an inopportune time to release him. 'The ideal circumstances' would be his 'co-operation ... to create a new South Africa in which all people can participate in the political process'.
Oscar MPETHA (78), honorary president of the UDF and founder member of SACTU, had stringent conditions attached to his possible release, despite his age and the fact that he suffers from diabetes which has already resulted in the amputation of a leg. In 1985 Mpetha began a five year sentence under the Terrorism Act. In July this year he refused to sign a document renouncing violence and forbidding him to attend political meetings. He would also have been restricted to Wynberg magisterial district, with 24-hour surveillance, and prohibited from talking to journalists.
On 18 June three ANC members were released from Robben Island after completing 15-year sentences imposed under the Terrorism Act by the Pretoria Supreme Court in 1973. Theophilus Ranku CHOLO (60), Justice MPANZA (49) and Sandi SIJAKE (43), (previously reported as Gardner SEJAKA) were convicted with three others on 19 counts of 'terrorism', which included assisting the ANC and furthering the aims of a banned organisation. Another defendant, Petrus Aaron TEMBU (MTEMBU), also received a 15-year sentence, but no information concerning his release was reported.
Alson TSHITAHE (33) was released from Robben Island on 18 June on completing a 10-year sentence. He was convicted in 1978 of sabotage and attempting to leave South Africa illegally.
Tshitahe and Sijake were threatened with banishment to bantustans. On his release Tshitahe was served with a 'deportation order' to the Venda bantustan and taken away in a police vehicle. He was later released into the custody of his lawyer. The Director General of Home Affairs informed him that the 'deportation order' was withdrawn pending a Supreme Court hearing. Sijake was served with a 'deportation order' to the Transkei bantustan whilst in prison in December 1987. In June he won an application for his deportation to be withdrawn, pending a Supreme Court hearing to restore his South African citizenship on 1 November.
Tshitahe, Cholo, Mpanza and Sijake served their full sentence having previously refused to renounce violence.
On 29 June six Robben Island prisoners were released before completion of their sentences, despite their refusal to renounce violence.
Albert Vuyisile MATINIS (34), Monde TSHETE (32), and Galelekile VETO,(32), were convicted with 4 others under the Sabotage Act in February 1977 following the stoning of Centenary Hall in New Brighton in August 1976. Matinis, sentenced to 15 years, and Tshete and Veto sentenced to 13 years each, were released after serving 11 years 4 months.
Richard Sipho CHAUKE (34), (previously reported as GAUKE) served 10 years 3 months of an 11 year sentence imposed under the Terrorism Act in November 1977 for helping others (including Solomon Mahlangu, who was executed in April 1979) to undergo military training.
Ben Letsie MASHININI (45), an ANC member, was released after ten years and nine months of a 12-year sentence under the Terrorism Act. He was convicted with five others by a Special Court in Springs in November 1977 on charges relating to the possession of arms and explosives, sabotage incidents and support for the ANC. A co-defendant Bana NKOSI was also jailed for 12 years, but there appeared to be no reports of his release.
Neko (Nelco) HLATSHWAYO (28) was released having served four years 11 months of a 10 year sentence imposed under the Terrorism Act in July 1983. His sentence was reduced to seven years on appeal. He was convicted with four other school students for actions arising out of the school boycotts in Kimberley in September 1980. The students were held in police custody during the three-year trial. It is not clear whether his co-defendants, who received sentences of 10-13 years, had their sentences reduced on appeal. Ben FANI also received a 10-year sentence, but there have been no reports of his release.
Venetia DE KLERK (20), Dee DICKS (20), Julian STUBBS (20), Enous SHOUKIE (19), Naasir MASAET (19), and Igshaan AMLAY (19) were released from Pollsmoor Prison on 26 May, 19 days before the completion of their year-long sentences. They were convicted on a charge of public violence following a stone-throwing incident at a Wynberg secondary school in October 1985. Their co-defendant, Wayne JORDAAN (20) was imprisoned for three years.
