Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- May–June 1982 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 newsletter (multi-page, printed text)
Context area
Name of creator
Repository
Archival history
Part of the IDAF archival collection on political repression and human rights in Southern Africa.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
South African History Archive (SAHA)
Content and structure area
Scope and content
This issue reports on the tightening of apartheid security laws following the Rabie Commission, including proposed new terrorism, subversion, and sabotage laws. It details intensified repression across South Africa and Namibia, mass detentions, psychological torture, political trials, and restrictions on the press. The issue also includes a major review of the South African Police, extensive political trial updates (including Barbara Hogan, Oscar Mpetha, and SWAPO guerrillas), and the arrest and detention of many students, trade unionists, and church workers. Notably, it reports hunger strikes and deaths in custody, and increasing international protest against detention conditions.
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 in the IDAF Focus newsletter series.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Open for public and research 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 scan of original printed newsletter; legible and complete.
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 1–39, Rabie Commission reports, Police brutality records, SWAPO trial files, SAAWU labor repression reports.
Publication note
Focus', Issue No. 40. International Defence and Aid Fund, May–June 1982.
Notes area
Note
A major issue analyzing security law changes, policing methods, press censorship, and psychological torture, including charts on killings by police and new trial developments.
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Name access points
- Barbara Hogan (Subject)
- Alan Fine (Subject)
- Neil Aggett (Subject)
- Thozamile Gqweta (Subject)
- Sam Kikine (Subject)
- Pravin Gordhan (Subject)
- Dean Farisani (Subject)
- Guy Berger (Subject)
- Devandiren Pillay (Subject)
- Zwelakhe Sisulu (Subject)
- Oscar Mpetha (Subject)
- Johannes Shabangu (Subject)
- David Moise (Subject)
- Anthony Tsotsobe (Subject)
- Thandi Modise (Subject)
- Renee Roux (Subject)
- Auret van Heerden (Subject)
- Griffiths Mxenge (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
Extensive and powerful issue documenting systemic torture, newly proposed apartheid laws, trial escalation, and conditions of political prisoners across Southern Africa.