Winnie Mandela (left) descends the steps of the Palace of Justice during the Rivonia Trial.1964

Winnie Mandela (left) descends the steps of the Palace of Justice during the Rivonia Trial. Winnie Mandela is given permission to attend the Rivonia Trial on condition she does not dress or behave in a manner to cause "incidents". In October 1963 the Rivonia Trial began against ten people all accused of treason (trying to overthrow the government), and 221 acts of sabotage. The whole world was watching when the three major sabotage trials started in Pretoria, Cape Town and Maritzburg in December of 1963. Eight were found guilty in June 1964 of sabotage, planning and executing guerrilla warfare and working towards an armed invasion of the country. Nelson Mandela received his life sentence at this trial.