Minister of Police and Prisons announces that twenty-one trade unionists have been detained

Louis Ie Grange, Minister of Police and Prisons, stated in the House of Assembly that twenty-one trade unionists have been detained since the beginning of 1981.  Ten of the detainees have been released without charge and the other ten are still being held. le Grange’s statement came three days after the Minister of Manpower Utilisation, Fanie Botha warned that the government was planning to take tougher l measures  to curb the rapidly expanding and increasingly militant black trade unions. He also warned that the newly established industrial court may be used to discipline certain unions.