Question

What was the Sharpeville incident?

Answer 1

1. The Sharpeville Incident occurred on 21st March, 1960, in the township of Sharpeville, South Africa. The incident marked a pivotal moment in the fight against apartheid.
2. Thousands of Black South Africans gathered peacefully to protest against the pass laws, which required them to carry passbooks restricting their movement. The Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) organised the demonstration.
3. During the protest, police opened fire on the unarmed crowd, killing 69 people and injuring over 180, many of them shot in the back as they fled.
4. It also prompted the South African government to ban the ANC and PAC, driving the liberation movements underground and into armed resistance.