Testifying before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Worcester, Mzikhaya Mkhabile, from Cala in the former Transkei, described a pattern of brutal beatings and torture during his period of detention.
He was arrested on November 22, 1962 after Poqo, the PAC's founding armed wing, organised a march to Paarl police station to demand the release of members who were in detention.
En route to the station two white residents were allegedly attacked and killed. Police then opened fire on the marchers, killing five of them.
"This is when the major trouble started because other police arrived and they were shooting, beating us, and chaos erupted," Mkhabile said.
He was arrested and detained in Worcester, where he suffered continual beatings which left him partially deaf.
"I was in terrible pain. I was covered with blood and my face was very swollen."
He later appeared in court and was sentenced to 12 years on Robben Island for sabotage.
On the island, prisoners were made to work "like slaves" in the quarry, using pick axes and heavy iron wheelbarrows.
Mkhabile said a warder, Peter Kleinhans, supervised the prisoners in the quarry and frequently assaulted them while they worked.
"He beat me with a pick axe handle right behind my neck simply because I was losing strength and (my) power to work."
On one day, Mkhabile said, he was punished for going to the assistance of a prisoner who had blisters on his hands.
"I was beaten with knobkerries. When I tried to stand up I was hit in the stomach."
He said Kleinhans ordered a group of prisoners to dig a grave and bury him in it, leaving only his head above ground.
When this had been done, the warder began urinating on his face.
"The urine was blocking my nose so I had to open my mouth and swallow it," he said.
"Afterwards he wiped his penis on my face. I was taken out of the grave. I was feeling dizzy and nauseous."
Mkhabile said prisoners who were ill, or who injured themselves in the quarry, did not receive medical treatment. Since they were only allowed to wash once a week, their wounds quickly turned sceptic.
He said the prisoners launched a two-week hunger strike to protest against the living conditions and the inedible food which they were being served.
Prisoners working in the quarry had a daily quota to fill - three large rubbish bins. Those who failed to meet the quota were starved. "We wanted (former President Hendrick) Verwoerd himself to come and answer two questions - were we political prisoners, or criminals?"
After his release from prison in 1975, his attempts to find stable employment had been frustrated by his hearing problem.
"I have no place to stay and I still need treatment for the injuries I suffered. Because of them I have been unable to work."
However, he was still luckier than many of his fellow activists. At least 14 of them had been hanged by the former government for their political activities.