Unions protest against the circumstances of Aggett's death

Updated: 22 Aug 2019

Unions protest against the circumstances of Aggett's death

A call for a thirty-minute work stoppage in protest against the death of Dr. Neil Aggett, who allegedly committed suicide while in police detention, was supported by virtually all-independent Black unions, and tens of thousands of workers. Outrage at the circumstances of his death cut across racial lines and prompted White opposition politicians, lawyers, academics and church leaders to lead demands for the end of prolonged solitary detention without trial because of the intolerable pressure it creates.

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2019, August 22). Unions protest against the circumstances of Aggett's death. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0148941

South African History Online (2019) 'Unions protest against the circumstances of Aggett's death', South African History Online, 22 August. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0148941 (Accessed: 8 November 2026).

South African History Online, Unions protest against the circumstances of Aggett's death [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0148941, (accessed 8 November 2026).

"Unions protest against the circumstances of Aggett's death." South African History Online, 22 Aug. 2019, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0148941. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

South African History Online. "Unions protest against the circumstances of Aggett's death." South African History Online. August 22, 2019. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0148941.