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This resource is hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, but was compiled and authored by Padraig O’Malley. It is the product of almost two decades of research and includes analyses, chronologies, historical documents, and interviews from the apartheid and post-apartheid eras.

1950. Suppression of Communism Act No 44

This act defined' communism' as "any doctrine or scheme... which aims at bringing about any political, industrial, social or economic change within the Union ... by unlawful acts or omissions or by the threat of such acts or omissions ... or under the guidance of any foreign or international institution" (quoted? by Lapping 1986: 168). It was "designed to grant the minister very wide powers to deal with communism and a good deal else besides" (Davenport 1987: 368).

This act surfaced in the 1956-1961 Treason Trial (see under the RIOTOUS ASSEMBLIES ACT of 1956) as well as the 1963-1964 Rivonia Trial (see under the GENERAL LAWS AMENDMENT ACT of 1962).

This act was amended in 1951 ,1954, 1967 and 1972.

This resource is hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, but was compiled and authored by Padraig O’Malley. Return to theThis resource is hosted by the site.