What was the intended purpose of the internal passport system in South Africa?

The internal passport system in South Africa was primarily designed for the purpose of segregating the population, particularly during the apartheid era. This system was a tool used by the government to enforce racial segregation and control the movement of non-white individuals within the country.

By requiring individuals to carry passbooks that specified where they could live and travel, the government aimed to restrict access to certain areas, particularly urban centers and economically prosperous regions, ensuring that non-white citizens were confined to designated areas known as "homelands" or "Bantustans." This segregation was rooted in the apartheid ideology, which sought to maintain white dominance and control over the socio-economic landscape of South Africa.

The other options do not align with the fundamental purpose of the internal passport system. Facilitating international travel, reducing crime rates, and promoting trade were not the objectives of this system; rather, it was primarily about enforcing racial laws and limiting the rights of the majority population based on their race.