Beginning in 1961, the prison was used by the
South African government for political prisoners and convicted criminals. The maximum security prison for political prisoners closed in 1991 and the medium security prison for criminal prisoners was closed five years later in 1996.[4]
List of former prisoners
Neville Alexander, proponent of a multilingual South Africa and former revolutionary
Autshumato (probably around 1625 – 1665), one of the first activists against colonialism, and a Robben Island prisoner from 1658 to around 1660.
Michael Matsobane, leader of Young African Religious Movement. Sentenced at Bethal in 1979; released by PW Botha in 1987.
Chief
Maqoma, former chief who died on the island in 1873
Govan Mbeki, father of former president of South Africa
Thabo Mbeki. Govan was sentenced to life in 1963 but was released from Robben Island in 1987 by PW Botha
Wilton Mkwayi, former accused at Little Rivonia Trial
Beginning in 1961, the prison was used by the
South African government for political prisoners and convicted criminals. The maximum security prison for political prisoners closed in 1991 and the medium security prison for criminal prisoners was closed five years later in 1996.[4]
List of former prisoners
Neville Alexander, proponent of a multilingual South Africa and former revolutionary
Autshumato (probably around 1625 – 1665), one of the first activists against colonialism, and a Robben Island prisoner from 1658 to around 1660.
Michael Matsobane, leader of Young African Religious Movement. Sentenced at Bethal in 1979; released by PW Botha in 1987.
Chief
Maqoma, former chief who died on the island in 1873
Govan Mbeki, father of former president of South Africa
Thabo Mbeki. Govan was sentenced to life in 1963 but was released from Robben Island in 1987 by PW Botha
Wilton Mkwayi, former accused at Little Rivonia Trial