State of Emergency

• 25,000 UDF members were detained.
• Police killings increased (fewer than 100 in 1984, more than 500 in 1985).
• Necklace killings peaked at 306 in 1986.
• The State of Emergency gave police and millitary sweeping powers. The government could implement curfews controlling the movement of people. During this SoE about 2,400 people were detained under the Internal Security Act.
• Under the State of Emergency, the president, Botha could rule by decree without referring to decree the constitution or to parliament.
• It became a criminal offence to threaten someone verbally or possess documents that the government perceived to be threatening.
• Detentions without trial became a common feature of government reaction to civil unrest and by 1988, 30,000 people had been detained.
• The media was censored.
• In 1988, the activities of the UDF and other anti-apartheid organisations were banned.