Pièce PWPFOCI052 - Focus on Political Repression in Southern Africa - Issue 52

1 newsletter (multi-page, printed text)

Forms part of the primary IDAF 'Focus' series, preserved in anti-apartheid and human rights archives.

South African History Archive (SAHA)

This issue reports on the release of SWAPO leader Herman Toivo ja Toivo, his public reaffirmation of SWAPO's mission, and the continued detention of Kassinga survivors. It features court actions to free detainees, detailed lists of those imprisoned, and affidavits documenting torture and unlawful detention under Proclamation AG9. It covers new detentions, student protests, pass law convictions, school boycotts, the Alexandra bus boycott, forced removals, and increasing repression in Namibia and Venda. Major sections report on death in detention, political trials, abuses by security forces, and a growing list of detainees. The newsletter also documents the high-profile trial of journalist Gwen Lister and the deportation of British researcher Alun Roberts.

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

No further accruals expected.

Chronological sequence in IDAF’s Focus newsletter series.

Open to researchers and the public.

Reproduction allowed with proper citation of IDAF as source.

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OCR scanned, complete and machine-readable.

Originals held by the South African History Archives.

Digital copy available through the PWP projects and other Archives.

Issues 1–51, Kassinga documentation, Gwen Lister trial transcripts, Namibian prisoner records, Venda death in detention files.

Focus', Issue No. 52. International Defence and Aid Fund, May–June 1984.

This issue documents a major transition period in the Namibian struggle, key legal challenges, and a surge in detentions and protests across South Africa and the bantustans.

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

Issue 52 is a significant record of escalating state violence, strategic legal resistance, and critical moments in the Namibian and South African liberation movements.