81 South West African nationalist guerrilla fighters were killed by South African soldiers on 23 May 1980, during the protracted conflict for Namibian independence.
23 May 1980
SADF troops kill SWAPO guerrillas
- Updated
- 30 Sep 2019

How we know this
- 01Namibweb ANGOLA AND SOUTH WEST AFRICA: A FORGOTTEN WAR (1975-89) [online] Available at: www.namibweb.com[Accessed on 23 May 2013]
- 02Philly.com Namibian Guerrillas Blunder Into Carnage [online] Available at: https://articles.philly.com [Accessed on 23 May 2013]
Last updated · 30 Sep 2019
South African History Online. (2011, March 16). SADF troops kill SWAPO guerrillas. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012422
South African History Online (2011) 'SADF troops kill SWAPO guerrillas', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012422 (Accessed: 8 November 2026).
South African History Online, SADF troops kill SWAPO guerrillas [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012422, (accessed 8 November 2026).
"SADF troops kill SWAPO guerrillas." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012422. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.
South African History Online. "SADF troops kill SWAPO guerrillas." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012422.
Also on 23 May
- 1699Sheikh Yusuf, regarded as the founder of the Islamic faith in the Cape, dies at Zandvliet (Macassar)
- 1926Joe Slovo is born
- 1939Evelyn Dalberg, SA opera singer, is born in Germany
- 1943Member of the African National Congress and Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs, Rejoice Thizwilondi Mabudafhazi is born
- 1951Former SANNC President Sefako Mapogo Makgatho dies
- 1981The State Theatre in Pretoria opens
- 1983South African Air Force bombs ANC in Maputo
- 1994South Africa joins the OAU
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