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Issue

JANUARY 1987

This issue covers the tightening of the State of Emergency in South Africa, widespread community protests, detentions, political trials, and the death of Mozambican President Samora Machel. It also reports on political trials, new repressive laws, and the formation of new trade unions in Namibia.

12 pages · 11 articles · validated

Front matter

Articles

11
  • article

    ORGANISATIONS UNITE

    pp. 1–3 1 people 8 places 11 organizations

    Despite severe restrictions, anti-apartheid organisations in South Africa have sustained and expanded grassroots structures. The UDF, COSATU, and NECC launched a joint campaign to unite organisations against apartheid.

  • article

    EMERGENCY GRIP TIGHTENED

    pp. 2–3 5 people 5 places 12 organizations

    The South African government tightened its State of Emergency, giving police commissioners powers to ban gatherings. A secret military-dominated network, the National Security Management System (NSMS), directs local efforts to repress resistance.

  • article

    COMMUNITY PROTESTS

    pp. 3 2 people 38 places 7 organizations

    Township residents and commuters continued to resist rent and transport fare increases, as well as forced removals, despite the State of Emergency.

  • article

    DETENTIONS

    pp. 4–5 22 people 16 places 13 organizations

    The number of people detained under the State of Emergency reached an estimated 20,000 by October 1986. Evidence of torture and violence against detainees, including children, continued to mount, with several deaths in police custody reported.

  • article

    POLITICAL TRIALS

    pp. 6–8 129 people 53 places 45 organizations

    Recent political trials highlight the scale of the armed struggle and the state's coordinated response. Several individuals were convicted of 'terrorism' and treason, while others faced death sentences for unrest-related killings.

  • article

    BANS

    pp. 8 19 people 3 places 16 organizations

    More activists were restricted under emergency regulations upon their release from detention. New restriction orders were also issued to members of white anti-apartheid organisations.

  • article

    POLITICAL TRIALS

    pp. 9 29 people 14 places 11 organizations

    The South African regime continued to use the courts against its opponents in Namibia, with one conviction and several other cases involving SWAPO's armed struggle.

  • article

    COMMISSION RECOMMENDS NEW REPRESSIVE LAWS

    pp. 10 2 people 2 places 12 organizations

    The van Dyk Commission of Inquiry into Security Legislation in Namibia recommended replacing existing security laws with a new omnibus act, retaining detention without trial and other repressive measures.

  • article

    CHURCHES CHALLENGE CURFEW

    pp. 10 8 people 3 places 9 organizations

    Three Namibian bishops applied to the Supreme Court to set aside the dusk-to-dawn curfew in northern Namibia, arguing it violated the Bill of Rights.

  • article

    NEW UNIONS FORMED

    pp. 11 4 people 8 places 25 organizations

    A revival of militant worker organisation in Namibia saw the formation of new trade unions linked to SWAPO's affiliate, the NUNW, and a series of successful strikes.

  • article

    PRESIDENT'S DEATH HEIGHTENS TENSION

    pp. 12 9 people 27 places 7 organizations

    The death of Mozambican President Samora Machel in an air crash occurred amid escalating South African aggression against Mozambique and other Front Line States.

End matter

  • end matter

    End Matter

    pp. 11–12

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