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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 It is the product of almost two decades of research and includes analyses, chronologies, historical documents, and interviews from the apartheid and post-apartheid eras.

1957. Defence Act No 44

Section 118 of this act "prohibits the publication of information relating to the composition, movements, or dispositions of the Defence Force, unless the Minister of Defence has approved publication. Moreover, it is an offence to publish, without the Minister's consent, any comment ofrumour relating to the activities of the Defence Force which is 'calculated to prejudice or embarrass members of the public' " (Dugard 1978: 183).

This act also authorized the Prime Minister (later, State-President) "to impose censorship during a state of war ... over any postal, telegraphic, telephonic, or radio matter or communication" (Dugard 1978: 192) passing within, into or from South Africa.

Furthermore, Section 121 made "it an offence, punishable by a fine not exceeding R5,000 and/or imprisonment for up to six years, to use any language or do any act with intent to encourage any other person or persons to refuse to do military service" (Dugard 1978: 177).

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.