Reverend David Russell sentenced for defying his banning order

Religious leaders were among the foremost and vocal opponents of the Apartheid regime. Acting out of conscience and under the banner of religion, however, did not shield these individuals from the wrath of the Apartheid Authorities. Many clergy often suffered the same fate as the persons whose cause they championed. This was the case with the Reverend David Russell, of Cape Town, who after defying a banning order, was sentenced to a three and half year's prison sentence, with two and half years being suspended on the 28 February 1980 for defying a banning order. Russell, attending an Anglican Church synod, infringed his banning order. For this he was sent to Pollsmoor Prison. Russell was released on R500 bail on the 4 March pending the outcome of an appeal lodged on his behalf by his lawyers.