Several leading members of trade unions affiliated to the UDF are arrested

In an attempt to prevent further unrest, the apartheid government arrested several leading members of trade unions affiliated to the United Democratic Front (UDF). The move followed nationwide unrest which broke out on 3 September 1984.  The Vaal Civic Association organised a stay away, school boycott and protest marches over rent increases. This led to clashes between police and residents that left thirty people dead. By the end of the year almost 150 people had been killed in political violence. This number increased to 600 by September 1985, a year after the initial outbreak of unrest. The unrest spread across the country and the government declared a State of Emergency.