From 1937 to 1947 , he conducted anthropological work in the Cape township of Langa and contributed to political journalism and academic articles . He and members of the SACP were arrested in 1946 over their participation in the African miners strike and won the case . The year 1948 was turning point in South African politics with the National Party winning the 1948 election and their policy of Apartheid . With the introduction of the '' Suppression of Communism Act '' in 1950 , the Simons and SACP voted to officially dissolve themselves but by 1953 were an underground movement . In 1956 Treason Trial he would assist Bram Fischer in the defence of the 156 people arrested for treason . He was arrested in 1960 after the Sharpeville massacre . With assistance of UCT staff and students , he was released and allowed to lecture but not publish . Simons would be banned from lecturing in 1964 , anywhere in South Africa so in 1965 , he , his wife and son would leave South Africa for exile overseas leaving behind his two daughters who were still at university
Sharpeville massacre
Sharpeville massacre
Jack Simons (academic)