Resistance to Apartheid and Reaction
Context
Peaceful protest via strikes, boycotts and demonstrations had achieved little due to responsive repressive legislation and the Treason Trial arrests
The ANC called for a series of nationwide anti-pass protests (March 1960), the PAC led by Sobukwe attempted to pre-empt them but numbers were so low they were arrested
Sharpeville
Officially a model township, with new facilities such as libraries, it was overcrowded, had numerous shebeens and strong police presence
The ANC failed to penetrate Sharpeville, but the PAC under the Tsolo brothers recognised it was prime for radicalisation
The Tsolo brothers worked tirelessly to increase PAC membership, even manipulating youth gangs
On Monday 21st March 1960 a crowd 5-20,000 strong gathered outside the police station demanding to be arrested for refusing to carry passes
200 white, 200 african officers were waiting for reinforcements believed there officer was shot at, and opened fire killing 69, 70% shot in the back
Causes range from 9 officers killed in riots at Cato manor, indecisive leadership on a hot day, arrest of Tsolo and failed attempts to marshal the protestors into a football field
Reaction to Sharpeville
Police rampaged through Sharpeville, framing dead africans and aggressively policing
A state of emergency was declared (30th March 1960) which arrested 10,000, on the 8th April the PAC / ANC were banned
Military wings of the ANC (MK), PAC (Poqo) and the Liberal Party (ARM) embarked on violent campaigns
Between 1960-63 there was net emigration, mostly skilled white classes and foreign reserves fell from R312 to R153
Continuing Repression
The Wessels Commission was accused of being a "whitewash" due to not apportioning blame or interviewing african people
Minister of Justice (Vorster) created a part time police reserve unit which later became BOSS in 1969
The Sabotage Act (1962) - carried the death penalty for sabotage and removed innocent until proven guilty
General Laws Amendment Act (1963) - allowed the police to detain anyone for 90 days, repeatedly
The Sobukwe clause allowed anyone to be held after their prison sentence
A network of spies (later became BOSS) was set up, and a radio network between police stations in 1963
Resolution 134 blamed the shootings on apartheid and caused economic turbulence