Bethal 18

Explanation
In 1977, 86 PAC members were arrested on various charges related to furthering the aims of the PAC and 'fomenting revolution'. Eighteen accused, including PAC leader Zephaniah Mothopeng, were convicted of these charges in 1978. The trial was held in the small rural town of Bethal, Tvl, in order to isolate the accused and reduce media coverage. It was also held in camera. By the time the trial opened, four of those detained in connection with the trial had died in detention. It is alleged that all the accused had been severely tortured while awaiting trial.

TV Series Hearing Transcripts TRC Final Report TRC Victims

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Amnesty Hearing, Pinetown, Day 5 (20 October 1998)

There were many plots that were made to assassinate him and other ANC leaders. There were other operations in areas like Bethal, which were planned and executed. I think there was a person from Mozambique who came to discuss with the Boers and they would discuss or plot against ANC leaders. ...

/documents/amntrans/pinetown/52912.htm

Amnesty Hearing, Durban, Day 5 (20 October 1998)

/documents/amntrans/durban/52935.htm

Amnesty Hearing, Johannesburg, Day 3 (24 June 1999)

... I returned to South Africa. I was subsequently arrested and I was one of the accused in the trial against Zephanya Mtupeng and 17 others held in Bethal before Judge Curlewis. Having spent nearly three years awaiting trial, in June 1979, I was sentenced to an imprisonment term of seven years, ...

/documents/amntrans/johannesburg/53504.htm

Amnesty Hearing, Johannesburg, Day 9 (17 May 1999)

... would say that she lay low and she hid and she waited for the opportunity. We have to bear in mind, Chairperson, that she was also wanted by the Bethal Police in Western Transvaal and they were looking for her. This was part of the legend which she would have used, ...

/documents/amntrans/johannesburg/53362.htm

Amnesty Hearing, Welkom, Day 2 (17 November 1998)

... me in. As they told me it was a case of armed robbery which was robbed in Qwa Qwa. I was detained together with other police(?) who came from Bethal. In that case we received bail. After some time I was acquitted, I was acquitted from that ...

/documents/amntrans/unknown/52977.htm

Amnesty Hearing, Pretoria, Day 1 (29 May 2000)

to investigate further as to what transpired. I submitted her name in the bereaved families section in the ANC and I persuaded them, we travelled to Bethal, to formally go and report as to, as far as we know, this is what happened to Nokuthula. We know up to this far and this is what I've done. ...

/documents/amntrans/pretoria/54232.htm

Amnesty Hearing, Ermelo, Day 8 (29 July 1998)

MR SHONGWE: When I arrived in court, I was granted bail and thereafter I went for the trail in Bethal and the Judge said there wasn't enough evidence, I should go home. I also attended a trial for the Malele case, I was granted a bail and it was also indicated that there wasn't enough evidence to ...

/documents/amntrans/ermelo/52737.htm

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