Issue No. 1 of 'Focus' bulletin, dated November 1975, detailing the intensification of political repression in Southern Africa, including mass detentions, torture, political trials under the Terrorism Act, and increasing use of banning orders. Specific cases, trials, and legislative actions in South Africa, Rhodesia, and Namibia are described.
Newsletters
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This issue covers military and police actions in Namibia, including mass civilian removals along the Angola border, arrests and detentions, political trials, and church expulsions. It provides updates on the Black Consciousness trial, reports on cases under the Terrorism Act (including Suttner, Breytenbach, Molobi), and repression in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe.
This issue highlights South Africa's military presence in Angola, expanded powers of the Defence Force, and new legislation legalizing extraterritorial deployment. Reports include armed forces statistics, political trials (Bloem, Black Consciousness trial), banning orders, and 'protected' villages in Rhodesia. Includes a personal account by Winnie Mandela on political 'widows'.
This issue highlights escalating political repression, including deaths in detention (notably Joseph Mdluli), torture under the Terrorism Act, and mass arrests in South Africa, Namibia, and Rhodesia. It covers the Namibian SWAPO trial, state violence against Black Consciousness members, demolitions in Windhoek, and rural forced removals in South Africa (Majeng case). Also includes updates on political trials and mass arrests in Zimbabwe.
Issue 50 covers the widespread rejection of South Africa’s new constitution by black communities, intensified state repression through arrests, treason trials, and censorship. It documents the brutal crackdown on the United Democratic Front (UDF), mass arrests in Namibia’s Kavango region, detentions of students and clergy, torture, trials under the Internal Security Act, and township resistance. The issue also includes coverage of Inkatha violence, the banning of political meetings, police shootings, and hanging secrecy policies. An obituary for Alex Hepple is included.
This issue of FOCUS covers labour disputes and union activities in Namibia during the first half of 1989, including strikes and negotiations involving NUNW affiliates such as NAPWU, NAFAU, MANWU, and MUN. It also reports on political prisoners, including ongoing detentions and legal proceedings. The publication provides context on the relationship between unions and SWAPO during the transition to independence, and includes a list of sources and abbreviations.
International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF)