Zulu monarch, King Goodwill Zwelithini, at the weekend congratulated the community of eMatheni village in KwaNongoma, northern KwaZulu-Natal, for sealing a peace pact that brings to end the long conflict that has claimed more than 21 lives since May this year.
Addressing an event, attended by thousands of people from warring villages of eSigubudu, eMatshamhlophe and eMacekeni, the king said he was still hurt by the killings that took place in the area.
The conflict started when differences emerged between two locals, Sbhevu Sibiya and Dlokwakhe Buthelezi, who were once friends in the taxi industry. Conflict ensued over the control of the routes, leading to the death of Dlokwakhe Buthelezi, which triggered killings and counter killings between the supporters of two individual.
The conflict eventually engulfed the whole area, disrupting the normal life for villagers with some learners being unable to go to school. Sibiya has since been arrested and is currently facing murder and attempted murder charges.
However, after a number of developments, including interventions by Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC, Willies Mchunu and specialised units of SAPS, the situation has since been stabilised. Through the department’s initiatives, under the programme Communities-in- Dialogue, peace structures were set up in different villages.
Peace is holding now but the department is involved in series of events to solidify peace, conduct traditional cleansing and engage local men to have a buy-in in the peace process. At the weekend, the local including warriors converged at Nqobuzulu Royal Sports Grounds in festivities marking the sealing of the peace pact with all people committing themselves to a lasting peace.
The king said for the peace deal to last, the people of eMatheni should change the way they did things.
“Today we must burry all bad tendencies which has seen people being mowed down with spears and bullets. We need to strengthen the family values, return to the culture of good neighbourliness and become the protectors of our neighbours,” said the king.
MEC Mchunu described the peace agreement as “historic”, saying he had never in the past witnessed a situation where a community took its own initiative to find peace without it being imposed from above.
He said working towards peace for the people of KwaZulu-Natal was an initiative started by the king.
“The king called on us to start a new chapter of peace and to encourage reconciliation. It is good for the people of eMatheni that they did not wait for someone from outside to start the peace initiative for them. As the government we merely assisted the community to solidify this peace initiative,” said MEC Mchunu.
He, however, noted that it was unfortunate that people could only enter into negotiations after scores of people had been killed.
“Conflict could only beget killings, murder and breed unending grudges. It should be avoided at all costs. You should have opted to enter into negotiations first to resolve your difference. Not to start by killing one another and only to start talks later,” said MEC Mchunu.
Mchunu said the peace deal had a buy-in from all sectors of the communities, including those who were in prison for killings that occurred in the area. He thanked all sectors of the community for the role they had played in bringing about peace in the area.
Contact:
Kwanele Ncalane
Cell: 072 803 1462 or 079 6995755
Email: Kwanele.ncalane@kzntransport.gov.za
Sipho Khumalo
Cell: 082 682 6437
Email: Sipho.khumalo@comsafety.gov.za
