SASO came under increasing attack from the Government. In March 1973, eight Black Consciousness leaders were banned. In 1977, nine SASO members were sentenced to prison terms ranging from three to five years for their involvement in political activities during the first half of the 1970s.
From 1973 until 1977 when SASO was banned, state repression increased. In 1974 it was listed as an “affected” organisation under the Affected Organisation Act of 1974. This meant that SASO could no longer rely on foreign funding to pursue its objectives.