The 19 people massacred at Shobashobane as they were about to celebrate Christmas 1995 should be remembered as heroes whose blood was spilt so that we could enjoy our democracy today, said KwaZulu-Natal Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize.
“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 at a commemoration service in the area near Port Shepstone on Sunday.
Mkhize, accompanied by State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele, Health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo, Human Settlements and Public Works MEC Ravi Pillay, suspended police chief Bheki Cele, and members of the ANC’s disbanded military wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe, spent Christmas with the families affected by the massacre.
Cele, while struggling to hold back tears, described in graphic detail how one victim had been chopped to pieces “as if someone was preparing to braai meat”, and how he, together with the region’s ANC leadership, had pleaded with the police days earlier to offer protection. The ANC had received information of an impending attack on all ANC supporters in the area, but their pleas fell on deaf ears.
“I received a call on Christmas Day saying there had been an attack and what I saw was beyond belief. The killers were parading in the area with the private parts of another victim, saying this was their trophy,” said an emotional Cele.
Mkhize also pledged to ensure a memorial was built on the victims’ burial site, and said all their graves should have gravestones by next year.
The Zulu premier lauded the community for having been at peace since 1995. “I want to salute the community of Shobashobane for their commitment towards peace and reconciliation. They have said the time for political violence is over and never again should the brothers and sisters go to war against each other,” he said. – Daily News and government press release