On 30 March 1960, in response to a massive outcry over the Sharpeville Massacre, both in South Africa and internationally, the government declared a State of Emergency, giving the police wide ranging powers. Nearly 12 000 people were detained. It became increasingly clear that the liberation movement would soon be prevented from organising freely in South Africa and that certain members of the ANC would have to leave the country to set up the ANC in exile.