Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(S.Afr. black) a passbook.

1977		J. Sikakane Window on Soweto 5: The men feel the inside pocket of their jackets, just to make sure that the ‘stinker’ or pass book is safely tucked in.
1979		A. Brink Dry White Season 84: ‘Man needs a stinka, he comes straight to you.’ ‘A stinka?’ [...] ‘A reference book, man. A domboek.’.
1985		H.A. Bulhan Frantz Fanon and the Psychology of Oppression 171: All Africans over 16 must carry, at all times, the hated ‘pass’ or ‘reference book,’ which Africans usually call the ‘stinker’ or dom pass (stupid pass).