B.J. Vorster, Minister of Justice, announces extensive security measures following the Sharpeville Massacre

On 15 February 1962, B.J. Vorster, Minister of Justice announced extensive measures to "ensure the safety of the state to the absolute maximum" in view of hottest developments concerning South Africa. These developments relate to the unrest following the Sharpville massacre in 1960. And in an attempt to prevent further outbreaks of unrest, the government had passed a state of emergency and banned the ANC and the PAC. The response from the ANC and the PAC was to declare an armed struggle, marked by attacks by Umkhonto we Sizwe and POQO, military wings of the ANC and PAC respectively. Measures adopted by Vorster included; development of the security police, strengthening control of South African borders, the establishment of special mobile units for the security of the country, helicopter services to assist the established units and the extension of the police reserve plan to accommodate non-Whites. Vorster became a full minister in 1961, given the important portfolio of justice, as well as that of social welfare and pensions. At that time the country was still under the pall of Sharpeville massacre where dozens of demonstrators were killed and scores left injured by security police fire on 21 March 1960. Under his stewardship, the police force became a formidable tool, penetrating every nook and cranny of society, hunting out opponents, and exposing underground movements.