Thirty-six former Kassinga detainees have sued the South African government for unlawful detention and assault, claiming a total of over one million rand. Their lawyers have served summonses on the South African Minister of Defence and the Administrator General.
They are demanding R20,000 each for unlawful detention. In addition, 29 of the group are also suing for alleged unlawful assault which they said occurred after their capture during a South African army attack on the Kassinga refugee settlement in Angola in 1978. They are demanding a further R10,000 each.
One hundred and thirty Kassinga detainees were released in stages during 1984, after increased pressure from Namibian and international organisations. One person, Petrus HAIMBONDI, remains in detention.
