KwaZulu-Natal Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize laid a wreath at the Shobashobane cemetery while General Bheki Cele (back) could not hold his tears during the rememberence of the victims of one of the most gruesome acts of political violence before spending his Christmas Day with the families of the Shobashobane massacre. A total of 19 people were killed on this day in 1995 as they were attacked in their homes when they were preparing to celebrate the holiday.
KZN Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize today remembered the victims of one of the most gruesome acts of political violence when he spent his Christmas Day with the families of the Shobashobane massacre. A total of 19 people were killed on this day in 1995 as they were attacked in their homes when they were preparing to celebrate the holiday.
Dr Mkhize was accompanied by State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele, MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo, MEC Ravi Pillay, General Bheki Cele, members of the KZN Legislature and members of the ANC’s disbanded military wing, Umkhonto WeSizwe. General Cele recounted how he, together with the region’s leadership of the ANC had pleaded with the local police days earlier to offer protection after receiving information of an impending attack on all ANC supporters in the area, but to no avail.
'I received a call on Christmas Day saying there had been an attack and what I saw was beyond belief,' said General Cele. He describe the in graphic details what he witnessed that day, with one of the victims having been chopped to pieces 'as if someone was preparing to braai meat'.
'The killers were parading in the area with the private parts of another victim, saying this was their trophy,' said a visibly emotional Cele.
Dr Mkhize said victims should be remembered as heroes whose blood was spilt so that we could enjoy our democracy today.
'It is our responsibility now to forgive the perpetrators of this act, and to ensure that they too are beneficiaries of our democracy,' he said.
Dr Mkhize pledged to ensure that a memorial is built on the site where the victims are buried, and said all their graves should to covered with grave stones in the coming year.
'We are aware of the promises that were made by our leaders after the event and during the funerals of the victims, and we are still bound by those promises,' said Dr Mkhize.
He said the memorial to be erected should act as a reminder of the price that was paid to purchase this democracy, and urged young people especially, to respect this.
Residents also got a chance to raise some of the needs and concerns with Dr Mkhize, who said a platform will be created, with responsible MECs, to engage with the community.
