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Date: 23 October, 1984

A combined force of seven thousand South African Defence Force (SADF) troops and the South African Police (SAP) sealed off the Vaal Triangle townships of Sebokeng, Sharpeville and Boipatong. They carried out house-to-house searches, arresting 358 people, some of who were immediately charged in special courts. The purpose was to eliminate criminal elements and intimidating forces from the townships.

References:

Kalley, J.A.; Schoeman, E. & Andor, L.E.eds1999.Southern African Political History: a chronology of key political events from independence to mid-1997, Westport: Greenwood. http://www.sahistory.org.za/pages/chronology/special-chrono/mainframe-udf.htm