At least forty people were arrested by the South African police in January 1985, in what amounted to the largest roundup of Namibians since 1983, when mass arrests took place in the Kavango region. The recent police action concentrated on the Ovambo area, and appeared to be directed particularly at community leaders, teachers and church workers, in an attempt to suppress support for SWAPO.
The arrests were believed to have been carried out under Proclamation AG9, which allows for incommunicado detention without trial for up to 30 days. This can be extended indefinitely by the Administrator General. Detainees' relatives are not informed of their arrest and the authorities are not required to keep records of arrests, or to disclose any information about the detainees' state of health, or their place of detention.
It is believed that some 15 of the detainees may be held at a secret interrogation camp in the Otjiwarongo area known as 'Osire'. Thomas Shindobo Nikanor, who died in detention on 27 January 1985, was thought to have been held there. Detainees held at the camp in the past have alleged that they suffered various forms of torture including electric shocks.
Among those arrested were a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Ovambokavango Church (ELOK), at least three ELOK evangelists, as well as Lutheran lay workers and members of the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches. Others included school principals, several teachers and workers employed by Barclay Bank and the post office.
