ON THIS DAY: In 1995, 19 people massacred at Shobashobane
At 08:00 on Christmas Day 1995, in Shobashobane near Port Shepstone, 600 alleged IFP members rampaged through the area, killing 19 people.
The attack followed a prolonged struggle between warlords aligned to either the IFP or ANC.
At 08:00 on Christmas Day 1995, in Shobashobane near Port Shepstone, 600 alleged IFP members rampaged through the area, killing 19 people.
The frontrunners of the attackers were armed with automatic weapons and pistols, and those coming behind with traditional weapons.
As a result, hundreds were wounded, with 19 being killed.
Many of the bodies were severely mutilated, at the time suspected for muti. At least 90 huts were burned down in the process.
Questions were raised at the time as to why police, who had information regarding the planned attack almost a month before the massacre, did not prevent it, or at least ensure they had enough people on duty.
After two years of investigation by police (not from the area), 96 warrants were issued.
When a convoy of police went to make arrests, they were ambushed.
In all, only 18 people were eventually brought to trial, 13 were found guilty, of which five had their sentences overturned on appeal.
The court, under Judge Hilary Squires, found that the violence had its roots in the IFP-ANC hostilities.
There have also been accusations of a “third force” at work.
