The Pass Law in South Africa was passed primarily as a mechanism of the apartheid system to control and restrict the movement of non-white populations, especially Black South Africans. The law aimed to enforce racial segregation, maintain white supremacy, and ensure a reliable supply of cheap labor for the white-dominated economy. It functioned as an internal passport system, requiring Black Africans to carry passes with personal and employment information to limit their presence in "white" urban areas and restrict their mobility. This control was also part of a broader social engineering effort to confine Black South Africans to designated areas, preventing integration with the white population and facilitating forced removals to rural homelands. The law effectively institutionalized discrimination and was a key tool in the apartheid regime's oppressive policies. In summary, the Pass Law was passed to:

• Control labor and ensure cheap labor supply for white industries.
• Enforce racial segregation and limit the movement of Black South Africans.
• Confine Black people to designated areas and prevent their integration into white areas.
• Maintain white political and social dominance through systematic discrimination and oppression.

This law was resisted by many and became a symbol of apartheid's harsh restrictions until its repeal in 1986.