11 January - The United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid launches the International Year of Mobilisation for Sanctions against South Africa
February
South Africa and Swaziland sign a non-aggression pact
15 February - Four COSAS-Members were bombed by the Security Branch under orders of Brigadier Schoon at nearby mine dumb outside Kagiso. Three died and one was injured.
14 March - A bomb explodes at the African National Congress' headquarters in London, UK. General Johann Coetzee and seven other policemen (Craig Williamson, John McPherson, Roger Raven, Wybrand du Toit, John Adam, James Taylor and Eugene de Kock) later claimed responsibility in retaliation to the 11 August 1981 attack on the military base at Voortrekkerhoogte outside Pretoria in which two British citizens, Nicholas Heath and Bonnie Lou Muller, were involved
20 March - A bomb explodes at the Langa Commissioners Court