Issue 9 covers legislation protecting South African police from prosecution, increased executions in Rhodesia, death sentences from Special Courts, the SASO-BPC trial, detentions, Robben Island conditions, and deaths in detention (including Elmon Malele, Matthews Mabelane, and Samuel Malinga). The issue also reports on Rhodesian cross-border raids, student escapes to Botswana, repression in Namibia, and psychological warfare campaigns.

This issue of FOCUS reports on increased aggression by the South African apartheid regime against neighboring Southern African countries, including Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique, Angola, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Swaziland, following threats from the South African State Security Council. It details incidents of cross-border raids, military build-ups, and political developments in the region during late 1985 and early 1986. The publication includes updates on the activities of the ANC, SWAPO, and South African surrogate forces, as well as responses from affected governments. The issue also contains subscription information and a statement of IDAF's objectives.

This issue documents the massive state security operation during anti-Republic Day protests, widespread student and labor detentions, guerilla actions by the ANC, and extensive trials under apartheid-era laws. Major topics include detentions of COSAS members, SAAWU and AZAPO activists, Robben Island releases, union suppression, and forced removals. It contains full trial listings, bans and restrictions, Namibia militarization, Kassinga anniversary, and a historical review of 20 years of repression since the Republic’s founding. The issue also exposes systemic use of torture, curfews, censorship, rape by soldiers, and the conscription system in Namibia.

This issue documents the South African raid on ANC residences in Matola, Mozambique, killing 15 people, including ANC and SACTU members. It reports widespread detentions, school boycotts, union crackdowns, and new censorship laws. It includes a testimony from SWAPO's Axel Johannes detailing 15 months of solitary detention under Proclamation AG26. Key events include the banning of six journalists, mass opposition to conscription in Namibia, accounts of torture, detentions of AZAPO members, the death of Jonas Shimuefeleni on Robben Island, and the escape of Kassinga detainees. The issue underscores militarization in Namibia, legal mechanisms used for indefinite detention, and state suppression of media and civil liberties.

This issue covers school boycotts and the violent repression of student protest in South Africa, particularly in the Cape and Transvaal provinces. It details political trials, including the ANC guerrilla trials, the imprisonment of journalist Msekeli Mgijima, and union repression cases. Detentions under various security laws are documented, including hunger strikes, torture allegations, and the death of a Transkei official in custody. The newsletter features an interview with SWAPO President Sam Nujoma, highlighting repression in Namibia, including new police units, forced removals, and militarization. Also covered are conditions in Robben Island, internal exile, and the targeting of student activists and civic leaders. A large section lists detainees and political prisoners.

This issue opens with the dramatic prison escape of ANC activists Alexander Moumbaris, Timothy Jenkin, and Stephen Lee from Pretoria Central Prison. It covers bannings of released political prisoners including Andrew Mashaba, Robben Island conditions, the banning of Lizo Pityana, trials of Ford workers in Port Elizabeth, detentions in South Africa, Transkei and Namibia, the sentencing of ANC guerrillas including James Mange (to death), and mass detentions under AG26 in Namibia. Additional topics include the closure of Robben Island, censorship, church campaigns for prisoner support, and appeals in multiple political trials.

This issue details extensive torture allegations in Rhodesia, including specific cases of teenage detainees Benchard and Leavit Katumba, Bibo Chitsedza, and Duster Katanha. It reports on political trials, executions, petitions for clemency, and the expansion of martial law across prisons in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia. It also covers SWAPO detentions in Namibia, repression in South Africa (including bannings, exile, and suppression of political activists), the creation of a South West African Defence Force under South African control, and press censorship. Further reports cover banned and exiled individuals, refugee crises, and new powers granted to police and Bantustans to restrict movement and civil liberties.

This issue documents mass executions under Rhodesian martial law, including hangings and firing squad deaths; political trials and detentions in South Africa and Namibia; the torture of SWAPO official Axel Johannes; repression of election activity under Rhodesian martial law; starvation and violence in rural areas; cross-border military raids by South Africa into Angola and Zambia; and detailed lists of political prisoners, detainees, and court rulings. The issue also highlights the censorship of political prisoners, private armies in Zimbabwe, and the use of elections as political manipulation by the Rhodesian regime.

This issue reports on the Namibian uranium mine strike at Rossing, widespread repression in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), the January 1979 South African banning orders, SWAPO detentions, sabotage trials, torture allegations, deportations of clergy, and the sham elections in Namibia. Includes coverage of the Law and Order Act, military courts in Rhodesia, ANC prisoners in Khami, and intensified student resistance to African military call-ups.

This issue covers the emergence of 'private armies' in Rhodesia following the internal settlement, including reports of guerilla activity, auxiliary forces, and repression. Topics include the Elim Mission massacre, security force abuses, wage disparities, police shootings of miners, numerous political trials and executions, including the death sentence of Solomon Mahlangu. Also covered are detainee lists, deaths in detention (including Lungile Tabalaza), torture allegations, and forced deportations of Roman Catholic clergy.