Two cupboards built specifically for the Rivonia Trial have gone on sale on Gumtree.co.za.
The cupboards were purchased by the seller at an auction in 2009, although the documents from the trial were subsequently bought and donated to the Brenthurst Library.
The smaller of the two cupboards was customised with 46 drawers – one for each of the 46 charges laid against the ten leaders of the African National Congress (ANC) on trial. The other housed the evidence documents.
The trial was of particular significance as it led to the imprisonment of former President Nelson Mandela and other convicted defendants on life sentences.
The cupboards were offered to the Apartheid Museum as well as the Nelson Mandela Trust, but both declined due to lack of space and funds.
The cupboards were originally owned by Dr Percy Yutar, the state prosecutor at the time. His number is clearly visible on the back of each. Yutar was an avid supporter of the anti-apartheid movement and fought to charge the defendants with sabotage instead of treason, which may have led to the death penalty.
Johan Nel, country manager of Gumtree, says he believes it’s one of the most special pieces of memorabilia to be found on the site. “We’ve often seen various artifacts and historically important items pass being bought and sold on the platform, but this is a rare piece of history.”
