Pass laws in South Africa were designed to segregate the population and severely limit the movements of the non-white populace. This legislation was one of the dominant features of the country's apartheid system. The Black population was required to carry these pass books with them when outside their homelands or designated areas. Failure to produce a pass often resulted in the person being arrested. Any white person, even a child, could ask a black African to produce his or her pass.
Read more about Pass Laws: History, Natives (Urban Areas) Act, Pass Laws Act
Famous quotes containing the words pass and/or laws:
“Fan the sinking flame of hilarity with the wing of friendship; and pass the rosy wine.”
—Charles Dickens (1812–1870)
“The laws of God, the laws of man,
He may keep that will and can;
Not I: let God and man decree
Laws for themselves and not for me;”
—A.E. (Alfred Edward)