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.
Political prisoners
23 Archival description results for Political prisoners
This issue documents mass executions under Rhodesian martial law, including hangings and firing squad deaths; political trials and detentions in South Africa and Namibia; the torture of SWAPO official Axel Johannes; repression of election activity under Rhodesian martial law; starvation and violence in rural areas; cross-border military raids by South Africa into Angola and Zambia; and detailed lists of political prisoners, detainees, and court rulings. The issue also highlights the censorship of political prisoners, private armies in Zimbabwe, and the use of elections as political manipulation by the Rhodesian regime.
This issue opens with the dramatic prison escape of ANC activists Alexander Moumbaris, Timothy Jenkin, and Stephen Lee from Pretoria Central Prison. It covers bannings of released political prisoners including Andrew Mashaba, Robben Island conditions, the banning of Lizo Pityana, trials of Ford workers in Port Elizabeth, detentions in South Africa, Transkei and Namibia, the sentencing of ANC guerrillas including James Mange (to death), and mass detentions under AG26 in Namibia. Additional topics include the closure of Robben Island, censorship, church campaigns for prisoner support, and appeals in multiple political trials.
This issue covers intensifying repression in Namibia, including the introduction of tighter security measures in Ovamboland and Kaokoland, SWAPO detentions, torture reports, amnesty rejections, and detailed accounts of atrocities. A centerpiece is the testimony of Lucia Hamutenya, former SWAPO Legal Secretary, who recounts her arrest, torture, and hallucinations in detention. The issue also addresses continued political trials in South Africa, Pretoria prison conditions for political detainees, calls to free Mandela, a list of over 500 political prisoners, execution statistics, and the deportation of missionaries and conscientious objectors. Developments in the 'homeland' policy in Namibia and the impact on representative authorities are also critically analyzed.
Issue 37 provides detailed reporting on repression in the Ciskei bantustan, the South African invasion of Angola (Operation Protea), political detentions, bannings, student and trade union trials, and prison conditions. It includes first-hand accounts, trial updates (including those of Oscar Mpetha and ANC guerillas), figures on political prisoners, juvenile detentions, and restrictions on journalists. Reports also highlight police violence, attacks on press freedom, and widespread protest against 'independence' imposed on Ciskei.
This issue details escalating political repression across Southern Africa. It includes the Soweto uprising, Rhodesia’s curfews, civilian deaths, forced removals, summary justice via emergency courts, ANC surveillance, and SWAPO trials and executions. Also covers censorship, political detentions, and the enforcement of the Afrikaans language in schools. Notable legal developments and testimonies about torture and irregular trials are presented.
Issue 53 details unequal prison conditions between male and female political prisoners, focusing on the treatment of Barbara Hogan and Dorothy Nyembe. It reports detentions, including youth activists, trade unionists, and ANC affiliates; describes major political trials involving ANC members and community leaders; and explores repression in Transkei, Venda, and the Ciskei. Also covered are education protests, the election boycott campaign, censorship battles over the Freedom Charter, and the release of Namibian political prisoners from Robben Island. The issue also includes coverage of SWAPO harassment, student resistance, and university unrest.
This issue of FOCUS documents incidents of violence, repression, and human rights abuses in Namibia during 1985, including acts of sabotage, attacks on civilians, and inquests into killings by South African forces. It includes reports on the extension of Security Districts, censorship, military operations, and the impact on civilians. The issue also provides subscription information and outlines the objectives of IDAF.
International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF)This issue of 'Focus' covers the escalation of South African military involvement in Angola in late 1985, including support for UNITA, international responses, and the broader context of apartheid-era regional destabilisation. It includes commentary on South African and US foreign policy, and the activities and aims of the International Defence and Aid Fund for Southern Africa.
International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF)This issue of FOCUS reports on the escalation of armed struggle and political trials in South Africa during 1985. It details incidents of weapon theft, guerilla attacks, landmine usage, attacks on infrastructure, and the spread of armed resistance across all four provinces. The document also covers political trials related to the armed struggle, including cases of individuals accused of military training, arms possession, and attacks on state and economic targets. The publication provides statistical breakdowns of incidents and discusses public support for armed resistance.
International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF)