On December 5, 1956, Mandela is arrested, along with 153 others, for high treason. In detention in Johannesburg, the prisoners use their time to share information and keep their spirits up by singing and giving lectures. After several delays—proper sound equipment must be found, and a ludicrous cage is constructed then deconstructed—the Crown prosecutor reads the indictment. It accuses the defendants of plotting to establish a Communist regime in South Africa, and they are released on bail.

Leading up to this, Mandela and Evelyn were drifting apart because of his commitment to the ANC and hers to the church of Jehovah’s Witnesses. When Mandela is released on bail, he finds that Evelyn left and took their children. 

In January 1957, the treason trial begins. The presentation of evidence takes months, and the defense demonstrates major flaws in many of the prosecution’s witnesses’ testimonies. The preparatory examination finishes in September 1957 with a four-month adjournment to allow the defense to examine the evidence.

During the preparatory examination, Mandela meets Winnie Madikizela and soon marries her. She becomes involved in the liberation struggle, and her love buoys Mandela during the treason trial.

Three months later, the Crown drops charges against 61 of the defendants, including

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