Collection 605 - Criminal Court Case No. 253/1963 (State Versus N Mandela and Others)

Identity area

Reference code

ZA NARSSA MR-MM-605

Title

Criminal Court Case No. 253/1963 (State Versus N Mandela and Others)

Date(s)

  • 1963 - 1964 (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent and medium

approx. 29 volumes, 163 files

Context area

Name of creator

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Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Records of the Rivonia trial, State versus Nelson Mandela and nine others. The accused are Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Dennis Goldberg, Govan Mbeki, Ahmed Kathrada, Lionel Bernstein, Raymond Mhlaba, James Kantor, Elias Motsoaledi and Andrew Mlangeni.
The collection includes the indictment, opening address, statements and evidence by witnesses for the State and for the accused. Evaluation of evidence, exhibits including photographs. An important component of the collection includes material confiscated at Lilliesleaf farm in Rivonia, such as Mandela's 1962 diary and other documents in his handwriting, most of them relating to armed struggle. It also includes Mandela's statement from the dock, and the State's concluding address.
A significant part of the collection includes materials used to build up the State's case against the Rivonia Trialists.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

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Conditions of access and use area

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Conditions governing reproduction

Public domain

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Finding aids

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Notes area

Note

Collection has been sent to the National Archives

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Accession area