Item PWPFOCI051 - Focus on Political Repression in Southern Africa - Issue 51

1 newsletter (multi-page, printed text)

Part of IDAF's main newsletter series held by human rights archives and anti-apartheid institutions.

South African History Archive (SAHA)

This issue details South Africa’s continued occupation and military offensive in southern Angola (Operation Askari), systematic torture of detainees in Namibia, SWAPO trials, and the expansion of South Africa’s armed forces. Key topics include Ida Jimmy’s reduced sentence, Kavango detainees' torture affidavits, political trials involving ANC and PAC members, censorship enforcement, and high-profile detentions. It also highlights poverty in Namibia, with case studies revealing the state’s discriminatory benefit policies and extreme deprivation. Notable incidents include the Robben Island protest for elderly detainee release, the ‘roasting’ torture case in Kavango, and multiple political trials including that of Sister Mary Bernard Ncube.

Retained permanently for historical research on Southern African political repression and human rights violations.

No further accruals expected.

Chronological within the Focus series.

Open access for researchers and the public.

Reproduction allowed with proper citation of IDAF as source.

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OCR scanned and machine-readable.

Originals held by the South African History Archives.

Digital copy available through the PWP projects and other Archives.

Issues 1–50, Angola conflict records, Kavango torture testimony, SWAPO trial documentation, Internal Security Act court proceedings.

Focus', Issue No. 51. International Defence and Aid Fund, March–April 1984.

Rich in documentation of torture affidavits, child malnutrition, apartheid poverty, military escalation, and trials of political dissidents.

ISAD(G): General International Standard Archival Description, Second Edition

An expansive issue revealing South Africa's military escalation in Angola, systemic torture and repression in Namibia, and legal targeting of anti-apartheid figures in South Africa.