Terrorism Act No 83 of 1967
Encyclopedia
The Terrorism Act No 83 of 1967 was a law of the South Africa
n Apartheid regime until all except section 7 was repealed under the Internal Security and Intimidation Amendment Act 138 of 1991.
—which was very broadly defined as anything that might "endanger the maintenance of law and order"—to be detained for an 60 day period (which could be renewed) without trial
on the authority of a senior police
officer. Since there was no requirement to release information on who was being held, people subject to the Act tended to disappear.
The death of Steve Biko
in police custody in 1977, while being detained under the Act, was a particular cause célèbre
. It is estimated that approximately 80 people died while being detained under the Act http://www.dispatch.co.za/1999/12/17/editoria/SNAPS.HTM.
.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n Apartheid regime until all except section 7 was repealed under the Internal Security and Intimidation Amendment Act 138 of 1991.
Detention without trial
Section 6 of the Act allowed someone suspected of involvement in terrorismTerrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
—which was very broadly defined as anything that might "endanger the maintenance of law and order"—to be detained for an 60 day period (which could be renewed) without trial
Trial (law)
In law, a trial is when parties to a dispute come together to present information in a tribunal, a formal setting with the authority to adjudicate claims or disputes. One form of tribunal is a court...
on the authority of a senior police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
officer. Since there was no requirement to release information on who was being held, people subject to the Act tended to disappear.
The death of Steve Biko
Steve Biko
Stephen Biko was a noted anti-apartheid activist in South Africa in the 1960s and 1970s. A student leader, he later founded the Black Consciousness Movement which would empower and mobilize much of the urban black population. Since his death in police custody, he has been called a martyr of the...
in police custody in 1977, while being detained under the Act, was a particular cause célèbre
Cause célèbre
A is an issue or incident arousing widespread controversy, outside campaigning and heated public debate. The term is particularly used in connection with celebrated legal cases. It is a French phrase in common English use...
. It is estimated that approximately 80 people died while being detained under the Act http://www.dispatch.co.za/1999/12/17/editoria/SNAPS.HTM.
Other provisions
Other provisions of the Act included the founding of the Bureau of State SecuritySouth African Bureau of State Security
The South African Bureau for State Security was established in 1969 and replaced by the National Intelligence Service in 1980. The Bureau's job was to monitor national security...
.