The effect of these actions is to permit civil disobedience within the apartheid state, says the Black South African studying in this area. "The burden of dissent would be impossible to bear alone," he adds.

Most observers of South Africa consider the justice system to be a sham. But given this fact, both Gomes and Carstens believe the IDAF has successfully worked within the system and helped bring about what Gomes calls "a fair number of acquittals or sentence reductions."

"You have to understand that white South Africans, particularly those of English extraction, find it very important to maintain the illusion of justice," says Gomes. "To the extent that jurisprudence works, we work it."

And Carstens adds that even a life sentence can be considered a victory. "If we manage to get a death verdict reduced to life, we see it as a success, a justification for the task we are undertaking. Every little bit helps."

Still, the vast majority of Blacks tried for political crimes are convicted and given the maximum sentence applicable to their "crime." Gomes admits that if the IDAF made a short run balance sheet of its success and failures, ceasing activities would seem "a perfectly pragmatic action."

But as Carstens puts it, the IDAF is essentially wothwhile. "How can you measure success in these conditions?" he asks. "It's a humane task that we're performing. At the very least, we say to people: 'You are not alone.'"