5 August 1962
Nelson Mandela, African National Congress (ANC) leader and first commander-in-chief of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), was captured in Cedara, a small town near Howick, Natal, shortly after his return to South Africa on completing six months’ military training in Oujda, Morocco, and after attending the All Africa People’s Conference in Ethiopia. He was charged with incitement to strike and with illegally leaving the country. Bob Hepple acted as his legal representative. His trial took place in Pretoria's Old Synagogue. In November 1962, he was sentenced to five years' imprisonment on the charges. He began his sentence in Pretoria Central Prison.
References
Gastrow, S. (1987). Who's Who in South African Politics, no 2 , Johannesburg: Ravan.|
Mandela, N. (1994). Long Walk to Freedom. Randburg: Macdonald Purnell, p. 301.|
Sampson, A. (1999). Mandela :the authorised biography, Johannesburg: HarperCollins.|
Hepple, B. Rivonia: The Story of Accused No 11,‘The Road to Rivonia: July 11 1963’, (1999) pg 8.