This issue of FOCUS reports on South African cross-border military actions and assassinations in Swaziland, Namibia, and Angola during mid-1987. It details attacks on Southern African states and exiles, including the assassination of ANC officials in Swaziland, major military offensives in Angola, and increased South African defence and police budgets. The publication also outlines the objectives and international affiliations of IDAF and provides a list of source abbreviations.

This issue covers intensifying repression in Namibia, including the introduction of tighter security measures in Ovamboland and Kaokoland, SWAPO detentions, torture reports, amnesty rejections, and detailed accounts of atrocities. A centerpiece is the testimony of Lucia Hamutenya, former SWAPO Legal Secretary, who recounts her arrest, torture, and hallucinations in detention. The issue also addresses continued political trials in South Africa, Pretoria prison conditions for political detainees, calls to free Mandela, a list of over 500 political prisoners, execution statistics, and the deportation of missionaries and conscientious objectors. Developments in the 'homeland' policy in Namibia and the impact on representative authorities are also critically analyzed.