ROBBEN ISLAND: “HELL
HEADQUARTERS"
[The following statement by an African political prisoner was smuggled out of Robben Island prison, South Africats version of a Nazi concentration Camp. It appeared in the. January issue of Anti-Apartheid News which is published by the Anti-Apartheid Move~ ment, 89 Charlotte Street, London, W.1.]
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‘- Political prisoner regarded as less human being. mo No reason are prisoner: assaulted for it is only language used. Warder talk by using their batons-.-
Complaining prisoners end in punishment and assault.
Chief -warder usually heard instructing sub-warders ‘to: ‘assault prisoners when parading.’
‘Whichever way you go you are assaulted or insulted usually both at a time. Complainants usually end in being punished so that they hardly complain unless he feels that his case“will be reported by warders.
Warders would assault while working with gang and work you near death if possible. Later would report you to Chief Warder who is not going out with gangs. He would impose any sentence ranging from three meals to four week ends without meals.
- Prison gangs are group of aggressive young men who wield baton whenever talking to political prisoner.
‘Criminal prisoners are always incited against political ones. So that they intervene by shooting political one dead, That situation was averted because . it was overheard and a warning ° ‘circulated throughout Island. :
Food. ‘Cold porridge in the norte, Cold black coffee. Salt or sugar not in any of these two, .” oa Dinner. Cooked meals to all black prisoners and hint of - Marewa. oe : , mo 7
Evening meal, Porridge and one pint soup. Meals ever cold.
This is regarded by prisoners as attempt to break their | spirit. Referred as pigs diet. Force it: to live,
No one looks healthy.
Again people are ever cold at night, ~
Medical care, This item is refused to political prisoners, Usually one takes days reporting this illness before he is attended. One warder would refer you to another till you find yourself forced to-go work or ktocked up in a cell.
If your prison mate is sick no one is allowed to speak for him if he cannot speak. Xamlashe and Putegho are example of this procedure, It was days before they were taken to doctor although they were seen to every one that asthma had overtaken them,
Acconmodation. Black cell all cement floor and ceiling. Cold as cold storage. Taking up 80 prisoners. Buildings are new, using prison labour, :
Latrine System. Two to a cell of 70-80 prisoners inadequate.
Water all sea water. Even drinking is salty. It does not quench thirst.
Called quarry gang usual count down about 600 to 800 prisoners. Break underground rock with chisels, dig stones for breaking by others, Carry piece broken stonés, piles them up to hill height, Work four-day week, Other three days you are locked in your cell, Only go out when fetching your meals,
Treatment is such that one feels we are condemned prisoners,
Brutality of warders, coupled with refusal to consider complaints by higher officials is great dissatisfaction among prisoners.
Prisoners are treated like group of undesirable wild animals,
.: Insolationals, Messrs, N. Mandela, W. Sisulu, Mlangeni, Matsoaledi, G.Mbeki, Mhilaba, all Rivonies are isolated each to his cell,
No prisoners allowed to go near them. Occupying block of cells just completed. Its four corner block entrance is a strong iron gate with European warder on guard,
Included are Neville Alexander, Bam and some of their company. Prisoners except Solomon Marcus who is with rest of prisoners.
George Peake also in isolation.
Conditions of ‘these fellow prisoners is not known to “others. |
Rumours are that they also break stones, which are brought ~~ by lorries. But confinement one to a cell for so long a time is inhuman treatment as we all know.
. Conditions are such that health of political prisoners will be impaired. -
Undiseiplined prison guards .and incitement by their supporters is such that prisoners! lives are in danger, if no change could come about with great speed.
Re B. I. is referred to as Hell Head Quarters and that if they survive this ordeal one must expect other place like Hell.
. Only Robben Island is such a place,
Greatest humiliation is undressing in the .presence of every prisoner, when coming from work, Strip naked search through every~ thing ordered to stretch yourself and turned your back towards the guard with your back opened much possible.
"SOUTH AFRICAN FREEDOM DAY"
‘The. World Campaign for the Release of South African Political Prisoners has set June 26 as “South African