Arrest and Detention by the Security Branch
As South Africa entered the pivotal decade of the 1990s—a period characterized by unbanning orders, intense political violence, and delicate negotiations—Comrade Joyi remained active on the front lines. In 1990, during a high-risk operational transit near East London, his vehicle was intercepted at a roadblock manned by the feared apartheid Security Branch. He was arrested alongside three fellow comrades. Subjected to interrogation and legal harassment, he was eventually released under strict parental supervision, a common tactic used by authorities to monitor and restrict young political organizers.
Chief Bodyguard to Walter & Albertina Sisulu
With the unbanning of liberation movements and the return of political exiles, the safety of senior leadership became a paramount strategic priority. Comrade Joyi was entrusted with one of the most vital security duties in the entire movement: serving as Chief Bodyguard to late ANC stalwarts Walter Sisulu and Albertina Sisulu.
- Walter Sisulu: Former Secretary-General and Deputy President of the ANC, Rivonia Trialist, and key architect of the liberation movement.
- Albertina Sisulu: “Mother of the Nation,” co-president of the UDF, and a fearless leader of the women’s movement.
In this high-stakes capacity, Comrade Joyi was responsible for close-protection protocol, route planning, venue sweeps, and crowd management during national rallies, international diplomatic engagements, and the historic 1994 general election. His unwavering vigilance ensured the safety of two of South Africa’s most cherished national icons during the delicate transition to democracy.