The collection contains the personal papers of Alexandre (Alex) Moumbaris, particularly his arrest, trial and imprisonment in South Africa. Also included are related documents covering the various anti-Apartheid movements in France, over and above Alex Moumbaris' records relating to his work for the African National Congress (ANC) and political activism, including the work of his wife Marie-José for BIAA and the ANC and anti-Apartheid movements, as well as documents relating to 'Okhela'.
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.
Timeline and list of possible contacts to approach; also included correspondence by Helen Amiel, relating to the burglary of the Moumbaris' flat in London by South African agents, using a key to the flat (the case was also discussed in the UK Hansards, Commons Sitting, 23 July 1973).
Correspondence making enquiries with institutions such as the Catholic Church and Greek Orthodox Church in South Africa and France relating to the whereabouts of Alex and Marie-Jose Moumbaris.
The Indictment was delivered on the 8 March 1973, and the trial commenced on the 19 March 1973. The co-accused were Tloi Theophilus Cholo, Maqina Justice Mpanza, Petrus Aron Mtembu, Gardener Sandi Sijaka, John William Hosey. Alex Moumbaris was represented by Adv. George Bizos, instructed by Richard Wilson & Partners.
