Although the State has charged the accused of sabotage, this is nevertheless a case of High Treason par excellence. It is a classic case of the intended overthrow of the government by force and violence with military and other assistance of foreign countries. The acts have been corroborated by the accused themselves. Nevertheless, for reasons which I need not here detail, the State has preferred to charge the accused with sabotage....
The deceit of the accused is amazing. Although they represented scarcely more than 1% of the African population (a reference to the evidence that the ANC had 100,000 members), they took it upon themselves to tell the world that the Africans in South Africa are suppressed, oppressed and depressed. It is tragic to think that the accused, who between themselves did not have the courage to commit a single act of sabotage should nevertheless have incited their followers to acts of sabotage and guerrilla warfare, armed insurrection and open rebellion and ultimately civil war.
Having done that, they would then from the safety and comfort of their hideouts at Rivonia, Travellyn and Mountainview, have surveyed the savage scene of slaughter on both sides of the opposing forces....
It is a great pity that the rank and file of the Bantu in this country who are peaceful, law abiding, faithful and loyal should have been duped by false promises of free bread, free transport, free medical services and free holidays—they forgot to mention free holidays....
This shows how the conspirators were deluding people. Kathrada has said that the State should be ashamed to mention Sharpeville and Langa. However, here in this document is evidence to show that what was supposed to be spontaneous uprisings were in fact engineered by the ANC and the Communist Party. For this reason I, on behalf of the State, am not ashamed to speak of these events....
At the outset of my argument I said that this case was one of High Treason par excellence. Because of the people who have lost their lives and suffered injury as a result of the activities of the accused it is apparent that this case is now one of murder and attempted murder as well.
I make bold to say that every particular allegation in the indictment has been proved. There is not a single material allegation in the opening address that has not been proved. On the evidence it is clear that without the action of the police, South Africa might have found itself in a bloody civil war. The public owes a great debt of gratitude to the police.