The increasing number of prisoners sentenced for political activity, though not all under South Africa's 'security legislation', has been highlighted by confirmation that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has had to continue suspending its visits to South Africa's prisoners because of the regime's reluctance to acknowledge the true number of prisoners.
In August 1989 independent monitoring groups knew of 877 political prisoners, of whom 179 were under 21 when sentenced. Of the total, 723 were sentenced since February 1986. The figures are an underestimate as they are based on press reports.
The regime only gives figures for prisoners classified as 'security' offenders: those sentenced under the Internal Security Act or for treason under the common law. These numbered 308 in December 1988. However, common law charges including 'public violence', 'damage to property' and 'murder' are also used to imprisonment apartheid's opponents. Between July 1987 and July 1988, 1,117 people were charged with 'public violence', of whom 509 were convicted. Official figures exclude prisoners in 'independent' bantustans.
The ICRC visited prisoners sentenced for 'security' offences annually from 1969 to 1986 and those held in 'preventive detention' since December 1977. Protests by prisoners and ex-prisoners' statements have commended its role in alleviating conditions. From 1986 the ICRC intensified efforts to obtain access to 'all categories of detainees held for reasons of 'security'. It was concerned for those 'arrested and sentenced under the state of emergency', detainees held under Section 29 of the Internal Security Act, detainees awaiting trial, political prisoners sentenced to death and people convicted of politically-motivated public violence offences. In December 1988 the ICRC extended its assistance to families of those imprisoned for public violence, but was refused permission to visit them.
The ICRC's decision to suspend all prison visits in protest at the regime's refusal was confirmed in April 1989 by the Minister of Justice who said an 'extension' in the categories of prisoners visited 'cannot be considered'.
The ICRC makes separate agreements with 'independent' bantustans. Transkei officials have refused to allow visits, despite pressure by the ICRC since 1982 and protests by prisoners since 1987. A Ciskei police official said in January that visits there last took place in September 1986.
On 7 August, 11 prisoners awaiting trial on charges of 'terrorism' in Wellington Prison in the Transkei renewed a hunger strike they had begun in March. They renewed their action when the authorities broke undertakings which had ended the initial strike: an improved diet and the lifting of restrictions on relatives' food parcels. The prisoners had been moved to a damp cell, were denied access to newspapers and had visits reduced.
Officials, who initially denied the hunger strike, failed to inform the prisoners' families and took away some of the protestors' blankets and sleeping mats. Two prisoners were hospitalised and held in leg irons under police guard but they continued to refuse food.
On 21 August, officials undertook to implement some of their demands: contact visits, visits by independent doctors, access to newspapers, television and radio, provision of underwear, nightwear and indoor game facilities and an increase in exercise time.
Other prisoners who had been awaiting trial for two to three years in the Eastern Cape, went on hunger strike on 16 August to expose their prolonged detention.
On 5 September, 32 prisoners in Johannesburg were tearedassed and beaten by warders to force five of them to attend court. They had refused to leave their cell in protest at warders' actions earlier that week: seven prisoners and detainees were strip-searched and had their possessions confiscated when returning to prison after hospital and court appearances. Lawyers were told these were 'necessary security' measures in the election period.
The use of the courts to break protests, even inside prison, was reflected by sentences on Mary NGEMTU (43), a political prisoner serving a one-year term for furthering the aims of the ANC. Ngemtu was sentenced to a further three months for assault and intent to do grievous bodily harm after an incident at Worcester Prison where she was awaiting trial. She allegedly bit a warder to prevent the removal of her cell-mate while they were both on hunger strike. A further one-month sentence for shouting 'Amandla' in court was set aside in September. Ngemtu was given a six-month sentence for assault and malicious damage to property by a court sitting inside Worcester Prison in March 1989.
Another prisoner, Litha MLAHLEKI (29) was due to appear in court on Robben Island on 26 July on charges of assault and disobedience. He began a 42-year sentence for public violence in November 1978 when he was 18. He went on hunger strike in September 1987 in protest over prison conditions.
