LAWS OF SOUTH AFRICA

Population registration act: Declares that the South African  population is to be classified by race. Race classification is determined by tests. These tests are designed and given by whites
Group Areas Act: Declares that South Africa is made up of African, Colored, white and Asian areas. Each group must live only in its own area. No black may own property in a white area; no black may even live in a white area without special permission.
Bantu Laws Amendment: Law permits labor bureau to remove or imprison “idle bantus” (unemployed Africans) from any urban areas. Unless they were born in an urban area or have resided there without interruption for 15 years, or unless specifically given permission, Africans may legally live only in the bantustans.
Pass Laws: Every African boy or girl upon reaching 16 years of age must apply for a reference book and identity number. Book contains identity number, personal details of holder, employment status, fingerprints, etc. Person must carry the reference book at all times. Any African not having book in possession is liable for immediate arrest–even if the book was left at home. (On average, one African is arrested every two minutes under this law.)
Influx Control Laws: No African may be permitted to remain in an urban areas over 72 hours without a permit, unless he or she was born there and has been a continuous resident since birth.
Other “Bantu” Laws:
1.	Allow the Minister of Labor to prohibit Blacks from holding any job at any time for any reason.
2.	Permit the Minister of Labor to “reserve” certain occupations or skills for whites only.
3.	Deny any rights to unemployment benefits to Blacks.
4.	Guarantee no minimum wage for Blacks
Riotous Assemblies Act: Local magistrates (judges) may ban any and all private or public gatherings of two or more people if it is suspected that “the public peace may be endangered.” (Under this act, prayer services and silent protests have been banned. It has also been used to outlaw all outdoor meetings and marches since 1976, except sports events or if a special permit is obtained.)
Unlawful Organization act: Bans the two Black resistance movements in South Africa, the African National Congress and the Pan African Congress. The law gives the government the right to ban any organization–no advance notice need be given nor any hearing held. Once an organization is banned, all its property must be turned over to the government.
Departure from the Union Regulation Act: Minister of Interior may withdraw or refuse to issue a passport at any time for any reason.
Internal Security Act incorporating the former Suppression of Communism Act and Terrorism Act: Declares the Communist Party of South Africa illegal and allows the government to outlaw any organization found to be furthering the aims of ‘communism’. ‘Communism’ is defined as Marxian socialism or any other idea which aims at changing the apartheid system in South Africa. Penalty: 10 years in prison. The Minister of Justice may “ban“ any person he feels is furthering communism. No trial or hearing is necessary nor must any reason be given. “Banning” restricts the individual to certain areas, requires regular reporting to police, prohibits person from attending any gatherings, visiting any school or factory, being quoted in publications, belonging to any political party, etc.
Internal Security Act also outlaws any sabotage against private property or the government as well as any act, writing or speech which “embarrasses the administration of the affairs of state” or might cause substantial financial loss to any person or to the government. (For example, it would be a crime for a South African to urge U.S. corporations not to invest in South Africa.) People charged under this law are guilty until proven innocent. Maximum penalty: death; minimum penalty: five years in prison. This act authorizes arrest and detention without trial. It sets no time limit on detention. An individual may be ‘detained’ for life without trial. No judge may stop anyone from being detained. The government is under no legal obligation to inform detainee’s family about the detention.
Sabotage Act: Outlaws, among other things: engaging in acts promoting “disorder,” “furthering racial hostilities,” or embarrassing the administration of the affairs of state. People charged are guilty until proven innocent. Maximum penalty: death.
Defense Act: Makes it a crime to publish any negative statement or comment about a government official which would “embarrass the government in its foreign relations or alarm or depress members of the public.”
Prisons Act: Forbids publication of any information about prisons without being able to verify information. (Because it is impossible legally to check any information about prisons, this law serves to prohibit any public discussion of prisons.)
The Immorality Act: Prohibits any sexual relations between whites and other races.

LAWS OF SOUTH AFRICA: SITUATIONS

Assignment:

Listed below are a number of situations which either have taken place or could have taken place in South Africa. All of them could be considered illegal under South African law. For each of the nine situations listed below explain in writing which law or laws the South African government could use to try to stop the activities described. Note: In some cases more than one law might apply. Come up with as many as you can.
1.	A Black woman and a white man fall in love and persuade a Black minister to marry them.

2.	A U.S. corporation believes that it wants to change the system in South Africa. It announces that as a step towards ending apartheid it will build housing for Black workers and their families near the factory it owns in Johannesburg.

3.	A South african newspaper editor writes an editorial urging U.S. corporations not to invest in South Africa. He says that only when South Africa is pressured economically will it end its apartheid system.

4.	A Black woman going to work in the city of Durban has left her purse at home. It contained all her identification.

5.	A white woman in Pretoria writes a pamphlet urging Blacks to join the African National Congress and to fight against  the apartheid system in South Africa.

6.	The Minister of Justice is suspicious of several people. They haven’t done or said anything publicly against the system of apartheid, but he thinks they will.

7.	An Indian family and an African family have become friendly and want to move next door to each other.

8.	Ford Motor Company lays off 500 workers. These workers have been living in New Brighton, an African township outside of Port Elizabeth. The workers announce that they will continue to live in New Brighton.

9.	A soldier returning from Namibia to South Africa gives an interview to a reporter. A story is published exposing how South African troops actually invaded Angola.