A founder and leader of the ANC’s armed wing, Umkhonto weSizwe (Spear of the Nation) which launched on 16 December 1961, Mandela was arrested on 5 August 1962. He was charged for incitement and for leaving the country without a passport and sentenced to five years in jail. He was sent to Robben Island but was taken to Pretoria to stand trial for sabotage in the Rivonia Trial. On 11 June 1964 Mandela and seven of his comrades were convicted and the next day sentenced to life imprisonment. Mandela was held on Robben Island for 18 years, at Pollsmoor Prison for six years and the final period of his imprisonment was at Victor Verster Prison in Paarl.