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, 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, 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, Pretoria, Day 10 (30 November 1999)

... but when I came to deal with him later at Ermelo, I also referred him to a Physician for medical treatment and as far as I can recall, in the Bethal prison, he also received ongoing medical ...

/documents/amntrans/pretoria/53919.htm

Amnesty Hearing, Ermelo, Day : 1 (14 September 1998)

I'll remember later. They came to Mkhonza's place. At the time before I was arrested, when entering Davel, you're coming from Ermelo going towards Bethal, you turn along the streets which enters the place and the first house it's at the corner, it's the Mkhonza house, these men started at ...

/documents/amntrans/ermelo/52866.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

Amnesty Hearing, Durban, Day 1 - CONTINUATION OF 2ND HEARING (26 July 1999)

... in this matter. Mr Pienaar, with regard to the first incident, is it correct that you were involved in a trial in the Circuit Court in Bethal, when Mr Theron, a co-applicant, who was then handling an informer of yours, informed you regarding certain ...

/documents/amntrans/durban/53565.htm

Decision (15 December 1998)

... gain. By the end of 1990 the reign of terror had spread to other surrounding towns of the former Eastern Transvaal, namely, Secunda; Davel; Bethal; Breyten and Piet Retief. SDU's operators and activities had to extend to such areas as well to protect the ANC constituency against Black ...

/documents/decisions/58675.htm

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