Public Safety Act No 3

Historical Context Note

Sam Raditlhalo (University of South Arica)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 7.2.3.03: South Africa and other Southern Writing and Culture.
Vol. editors: Helen Rachel Cousins (Birmingham Newman University), David Firth (University of Manchester)

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Legislation (Bills, Acts, Laws ...)

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Date of occurrence 1953

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South Africa (Location)

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his act, passed in response to the ANC's civil disobedience campaign, provided for a state of emergency to be declared, which was only done in 1960. Under emergency conditions, the Minister of Law and Order, the Commissioner of the South African Police (SAP), a magistrate or a commissioned officer could detain any person for reasons of public safety. There was no commission to which a detainee could appeal, nor was there a body with the power to decide objectively whether a state of emergency was justified or not. Meetings and gatherings could also be banned using this act.

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97 words

Citation: Raditlhalo, Sam. "Public Safety Act No 3". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 23 February 2009 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=5806, accessed 26 November 2024.]

Public Safety Act No 3

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