South Africa and the United Kingdom embroiled in a diplomatic crisis

South Africa and the United Kingdom (UK) faced what was seen as a worst diplomatic crisis because of tension over six dissidents hiding from police in the British Consulate in Durban. The South African government in retaliation for London's refusal to evict the fugitives announced it would not send four South African back to Britain to stand trial on charges of illegal export of arms. It is widely believed that those six dissidents were United Democratic Front (UDF) leaders Archie Gumede, Mewa Ramgobin, Paul David, George Sewpershad, MJ Naidoo and Billy Nair. All those at the consulate except Nair were charged with high treason.