Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- March–April 1982 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 newsletter (multi-page, printed text)
Context area
Name of creator
Repository
Archival history
Held within the IDAF’s anti-apartheid publications archive.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
South African History Archive (SAHA)
Content and structure area
Scope and content
This issue extensively documents torture by South African and Namibian security forces, including affidavits, testimonies, and reports of death in detention. Key features include the disappearance of Johannes Kakuva, violent repression of SWAPO sympathisers, use of poison gas in Angola (Operation Daisy), and the intensification of military presence in Kaokoland. It also covers numerous political trials (Oscar Mpetha, Robert Adam, Masabata Loate, etc.), repression in Ciskei and Venda, and the detention and death of unionist Dr. Neil Aggett. Detailed lists of new detainees and evidence of abuse by security forces appear throughout.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Retained permanently for historical research on Southern African political repression and human rights violations.
Accruals
No further accruals expected.
System of arrangement
Chronologically arranged within the 'Focus' newsletter collection.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Open for research and public access.
Conditions governing reproduction
Reproduction allowed with proper citation of IDAF as source.
Language of material
English
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
OCR scanned newsletter; full text readable and searchable.
Finding aids
Uploaded finding aid
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Originals held by the South African History Archives.
Existence and location of copies
Digital copy available through the PWP projects and other Archives.
Related units of description
Issues 1–38, Operation Daisy reports, Kassinga files, SWAPO trial documentation, Robben Island prisoner logs, SAIC protest records.
Publication note
Focus', Issue No. 39. International Defence and Aid Fund, March–April 1982.
Notes area
Note
This issue marks a critical escalation in torture allegations, political detentions, and regional military incursions. Notable for listing over 50 detainees with contextualized accounts.
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Johannes Kakuva (Subject)
- Hapeheri Nderura (Subject)
- Bishop Cleopas Dumeni (Subject)
- Griffiths Mxenge (Subject)
- Neil Aggett (Subject)
- Masabata Loate (Subject)
- Oscar Mpetha (Subject)
- Ida Jimmy (Subject)
- Frank Chikane (Subject)
- Thandi Modise (Subject)
- Mandla Themba (Subject)
- Robert Adam (Subject)
- Sisa Njikelana (Subject)
- Rita Ndzanga (Subject)
- Feroze Cachalia (Subject)
- Prema Naidoo (Subject)
- Steven Kitson (Subject)
- Sam Nujoma (Subject)
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
ISAD(G): General International Standard Archival Description, Second Edition
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
Script(s)
Sources
Archivist's note
Perhaps the most detailed account of state-sanctioned torture and repression in the Focus series, including extensive lists of victims, legal developments, and South Africa’s aggressive military actions abroad.