Mpetha release demanded Demands for the release of Oscar MPETHA were intensified in March with the launch of a campaign by several trade union and other organisations within South Africa and internationally. A committee involving the Congress of South African Trade Unions, community organisations, lawyers and doctors was convened in April by Mpetha's former union — the Food and Allied Workers Union — to identify what his needs would be when released. The British Trades Union Congress had undertaken to provide finance to cover these needs.
The campaign reflects growing concern for Mpetha's health. Mpetha (79), a founder member of the South African Congress of Trade Unions, former president of the ANC in the Cape and now honorary president of the UDF, is serving a five-year prison sentence in Groote Schuur prison hospital. The sentence, under the Terrorism Act, was imposed in June 1983 but he only went to prison in August 1985 after an unsuccessful appeal. He suffers from severe diabetes which has already resulted in the amputation of a leg, and has recently developed lung and kidney infections.
The regime has consistently refused to release Mpetha unconditionally.
Prisoners' victory Through sustained protest, prisoners at Wellington Prison in the Transkei bantustan have forced the authorities to address the question of conditions there.
A hunger strike initiated by 15 awaiting-trial prisoners on 22 March followed a six-day protest in February against appalling conditions. The prisoners suspended their action at the end of March after the bantustan leader, General Holomisa, met their lawyers and said that a magistrate was to be appointed to investigate prisoners' complaints. He also said that in future information about protests would not be suppressed, having admitted that news of the initial strike had been denied by officials. In January it was announced that the International Committee of the Red Cross would be permitted to visit prisons in the Transkei bantustan. However, continued demands by prisoners indicated that no visits had taken place.
