📅 11 July 1963
Police arrested much of the underground leadership at Rivonia and seized documents relating to MK strategy. The raid led directly to the Rivonia Trial.
📅 9 October 1963
Eleven defendants were charged with sabotage and conspiracy following the Liliesleaf raid. The political trial threatened the accused with the death penalty.
📅 12 June 1964
Eight defendants were sentenced to life imprisonment rather than death. Their removal weakened internal structures but made the trial a worldwide symbol of resistance.
📅 5 November 1987
After twenty-three years in prison, the Rivonia veteran became the first of the senior ANC political prisoners to be released.
