The South African Defence Force and its soldiers stand accused in three court cases this week: of murdering civilians in Northern Namibia, of stabbing to death a Swapo leader in Windhoek and of using illegal "dirty tricks" against its critics.
In all three cases, two in Windhoek and one in Cape Town the SADF and the government tried to keep the details secret. They failed. As a result, the three cases have been heard in public, bringing to light serious allegations about the behaviour of SADF soldiers.
The SADF's counsel have not denied the allegations. They argue instead that South Africa is in a state of war and that the military's powers reach beyond the courts…