Race laws touched every aspect of social life, including a prohibition of marriage between non whites and whites. The penalties imposed on political protests, even non-violent protest, were severe. During the states of emergency which continued intermittently until 1989, anyone could be detained without a hearing from a low-level police official for up to six months. Thousands of individuals died in custody, frequently after gruesome acts of torture. Those who were tried were sentenced to death, banished, or imprisoned for life, like Nelson
Race laws touched every aspect of social life, including a prohibition of marriage between non whites and whites. The penalties imposed on political protests, even non-violent protest, were severe. During the states of emergency which continued intermittently until 1989, anyone could be detained without a hearing from a low-level police official for up to six months. Thousands of individuals died in custody, frequently after gruesome acts of torture. Those who were tried were sentenced to death, banished, or imprisoned for life, like Nelson