The act was originally put in place due to a form of modern terrorism being developed during the apartheid period.

Terrorism was occurring due to activities of the state and because of liberation movements that were happening at the time.

Terrorism was defined as any activity aimed at disrupting law and order, or any action that encouraged others to engage in such acts.

Conviction under this section could result in a prison sentence of up to five years or, in some cases, the death penalty.

Since there was no requirement to release information on who was being held, people subject to the Act tended to disappear.

[8] The poem 'In Detention' was written by Chris van Wyk as a protest to the seemingly unexplainable deaths at the John Vorster Square, supposedly at the hands of police brutality.