The work of this Department is central to the realisation of the ideals of the Freedom Charter. Fifty-Six years ago on this day, 11 July 1963, during the dark days of the apartheid regime, the notorious police force raided the ANC's safe house, Lilliesleaf Farm, in Rivonia-Johannesburg. They arrested the leadership nucleus of the armed wing of the ANC, Umkhonto We Sizwe, including Andrew Mlangeni, Walter Sisulu and Ahmed Kathrada.