A letter smuggled out of Windhoek Central Prison in 1980 and in the possession of IDAF alleges ill-treatment of prisoners, racial discrimination and deaths due to lack of medical treatment and beatings by prison warders. The letter reportedly comes from prisoners convicted under the pass laws which require each person in Namibia aged 16 and over to be in possession of an identity document, and from others convicted for criminal offences. The writer purports to speak for "the people of Namibia in prison". According to SWAPO, the prisoners have become increasingly politically aware as a result of their treatment in prison. A number have continued to be detained after their sentences expired because of their outspoken political demands.
The letter lists the names of 51 long-term prisoners, and condemns the "inhuman sentences which the South African government cast upon the soldiers of the people of Namibia". In addition, it lists 18 people who died during their detention in police cells or in prison. The majority are said to have died because of lack of medical attention. It cites six cases of prisoners who were beaten to death by prison warders, and in some cases gives the names of the warders concerned, the place of detention and dates of the incidents. The writer also gives names and details of ten prisoners who were transferred to a maximum security prison in Barberton in South Africa, without the knowledge of their families.
Referring to the internal elections in December 1978, the writer says prisoners were forced to take part in the voting and were intimidated into voting for the pro-apartheid National Party. According to his account, five prisoners were put in solitary confinement when they protested by tearing up their ballot cards. The letter ends by condemning South Africa's continued occupation of Namibia, and the illtreatment and detention of people under the pass laws. "Daily assault, especially with batons and Alsatian dogs are frequent here in prison and the general treatment is of a barbaric nature. Many of us, although they have completed their sentences, are still being held longer without any reason being given", the writer says. He calls on the international community to "put an end to these brutal deeds".
A claim for damages instituted against the Minister of Police and the Ovambo bantustan government is still pending before the Windhoek Supreme Court, following a ruling by the Supreme Court that the summons was properly and timeously served.
The case concerns the elderly parents of Axel Johannes, SWAPO Administrative Secretary inside Namibia and currently living in exile. The litigation, filed by Axel Johannes and his sister Lydia Johannes, seeks damages totalling R4,050 in compensation for the destruction of the farm and property of their father Johannes Ashikono. The claim states that the farm, in the Uukwaluudhi area of Ovambo, was burnt down through the "wanton action" of the South African Police on 28 January 1980, and that all private possessions and personal effects were gutted.
The claim for damages, filed on 27 July 1980, was challenged by the Minister of Police on the grounds that it was issued in an irregular fashion, namely on a Sunday and hence outside prescribed hours. Now that this objection has been overruled, the application is due to proceed to a hearing before the Supreme Court.
