The South African authorities have put on display three Cuban prisoners captured during their involvement in the Angolan civil war earlier this year.

SYNOPSIS: The prisoners were displayed during the weekend in Johannesburg, South Africa's principal city, at a news conference. They identified themselves by name in Spanish.

The South African authorities who arranged the presentation, said the men had asked to meet newsmen so that their families in Cuba would know they were still alive. Each had written letters home to Cuba, but had no reply, according to one news report. Following the meeting, the South African Government said it was prepared to bring out to South Africa one member of each prisoner's family to visit them.

The South African authorities claimed that the prisoners were taken into custody for medical treatment during the war, and had been treated well ever since. The prisoners were allowed to respond to the claims.

Before the news conference the South African authorities said the prisoners were being treated in accordance with International Red Cross rules.