This issue of FOCUS covers legal and political developments in South Africa and Namibia during July-August 1990, including proposed changes to death sentence laws, commutation of political prisoners' sentences, political and labour trials, repression of workers and students, and violence in the Natal region attributed to Inkatha and police complicity. Includes case studies, trial reports, and background on the humanitarian work of IDAF.

This issue of FOCUS reports on the activities of bantustan police forces in South Africa, their involvement in suppressing opposition, and incidents of violence in the Kwazulu bantustan, including attacks on UDF affiliates. It also outlines the objectives of the International Defence and Aid Fund for Southern Africa and provides information on IDAF's international affiliates and publication programme.