It widened the definition of sabotage to include strikes, trade union activity, and writing slogans on walls.

It reversed the normal burden of proof so that the accused were assumed to be guilty and had to prove their innocence.

The Act extended the powers of the Minister of Justice, a post held in 1962 by B. J. Vorster, to ban people and organisations.

Anyone who had been charged under the Suppression of Communism Act, 1950 could be banned from holding office in named institutions.

They could be put under house arrest without trial, made to report daily to the police and be prohibited from attending social gatherings.