The Suppression of Communism Act, South Africa (1950)

In July 1950 the white Nationalist government in South Africa passed the Suppression of Communism Act. Ostensibly to outlaw communist organisations and crack down on left-wing revolutionary groups, the Act was chiefly used to target anti-apartheid campaigners like Nelson Mandela:

“The Communist Party of South Africa, including every branch, section or committee thereof and every local, regional or subsidiary body forming part thereof, is hereby declared to be an unlawful organisation.

If the Governor-General is satisfied that any other organisation professes… to be an organisation for propagating the principles or promoting the spread of communism; or that the purpose or one of the purposes of any organisation is to propagate the principles or promote the spread of communism or to further the achievement of any of the objects of communism… he may without notice to the organisation concerned by proclamation in the Gazette declare that organisation to be an unlawful organisation…

No person shall become, continue to be or perform any act as an office-bearer, officer or member of the unlawful organisation, or… in any way take part in any activity of the unlawful organisation, or carry on in the direct or indirect interest of the unlawful organisation…

Any person who performs any act which is calculated to further the achievement of any of the objects of communism; advocates, advises, defends or encourages the achievement of any such object or any act or omission which is calculated to further the achievement of any such object… [or] prints, publishes or disseminates any periodical publication or disseminates any other publication… shall be guilty of an offence, and liable to imprisonment for a period not exceeding ten years.”