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Alexandre Moumbaris Papers sub-series
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ANC Office

Alex Moumbaris started working for the African National Congress (ANC) in Paris immediately after his release. He established the first office at 42 Rue Rochechouart, for which the French Communist Party paid the rent and other bills. During Dulcie September's tenure the office was moved around 1985 to 28 Rue des Petites-Écuries "for security reasons", where she was assassinated in 1988. The expenses for the second office were paid indirectly by the Socialist Party, through the Centre for Research Information Action in Africa (CRIAA) and more precisely Jean-Bernard Curial (information provided by Alex Moumbaris).

Arrest, 1972

Alex and Marie-Jose (Smoothy) Moumbaris were arrested on the 19 July 1972 while trying to cross the border from Botswana. They were secretly detained for 4 months, before being charged, and their relatives were unable to establish their whereabouts. Helen Amiel, Alex Moumbaris mother, traced their whereabouts from their departure in Paris on the 8 June 1972, having received the last news from Gaborone in July 1972. The matter only appeared before the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on the 20 November 1972, when Alex Moumbaris and 5 Others were charged under the Terrorism Act. Marie-Jose, who was pregnant at the time, had been released and deported in September 1972.

BIAA office and Okhela connection

The records in this section describe the connection between the creation of BIAA by Breyten Breytenbach, Johnny Makhatini and Barend Schuitema, and Okhela. Once Marie-Jose discovered the use of the BIAA office, situated at 40, Rue Rouelle, 75015 Paris, for activities by Okhela, she and her friend and colleague Sally Ndongo, from the Union Générale des Travailleurs Sénégalais en France (UGTSF), reported the matter to the ANC in London. Marie-José closed the office and went to London to inform the SACP and the ANC. See further explanations provided in an email compiled by Alex Moumbaris, included here, dated March 2018.
Included: Report by Marie-Jose to the ANC office in London, French, 9 October 1975, with covering letter in English (see summary by Alex Moumbaris); letter by Marie-Jose to Joe Slovo re visit to Paris by Alfred Nzo and Duma Nokwe, 16 December 1975; also included a letter by Marie-Jose to Ronnie Kasrils in London, 12 February 1976, asking for information about a certain Mr Michel Goutos, a social worker from Greece, who had written to Alex Moumbaris' mother, demanding a categorical affirmation that her son must refrain from 'hostile acts against the Republic of South Africa' in the event of his release and deportation, 4 December 1975 - copy of Michel Goutos letter and English translation included.

Correspondence through legal team

Letters include communication with law firms Richard Wilson & Partner; Weiman & Mahon Attorneys; Raymond Tucker and Andrew, Lister and Tucker Incorporated. They relate to the legal representation for Alex Moumbaris at his trial and the appointment of Advocate George Bizos, who has "much experience in cases involving the Terrorism Act"; correspondence relating to things belonging to Marie-Jose, in the possession of the Security Police; prison conditions; registration with the University of South Africa to further his studies; visits by his mother and son; application to Prison Department re the question of newspapers, news, letters and visits; Alex Moumbaris hunger strike in prison; Affidavit from Amnesty International re their prison conditions and treatment (with explanatory email by Alex Moumbaris). Also included: a drawing from prison; telegram to Alex Moumbaris, Pretoria Prison, European Section from his family in Paris; and two telegrams by Alex Moumbaris' mother and wife to Ilse Wilson, daughter of Bram Fischer, with the one sent on his release in 1974, and the other sending condolences of the passing of Bram Fischer in 1975.

Escape from Pretoria Maximum prison

On the 11 December 1979 Alex Moumbaris and two other prisoners, Tim Jenkin and Stephen Lee, made a daring escape from Pretoria Central Prison. After a dangerous and exhausting journey they eventually arrived in Lusaka, where they were received by OR Tambo, and for the first time appeared publicly about their escape during a press conference on the 14 January 1980.

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