I. S.OTHER THEORETICAL EXPLANATIONS OF CONFLICT IN MANDINI Three other basic theoretical positions account for the conflict and violence which
7. POLITICAL CONFLICT BETWEEN THE ANC AND THE IFP IN THE WAKE OF THE 1994 DEMOCRATIC ELECTION
CHAPTER SEVEN
7. POLITICAL CONFLICT BETWEEN THE ANC AND THE IFP IN THE
climate for free political activities III the proVInce. The disruption of rallies, intimidation and attacks on members and supporters of political opponents of the IFP characterized the situation. The "petulant and arrogant" statements of certain IFP officials, particularly its General Secretary, Dr Ziba Jiyane and its member of the National Council, Prince Gideon Zulu, at IFP rallies in Mandini, further aggravated the situation. Dr Jiyane called on the supporters of the IFP to rise and resist the central government. Such statements contributed to the creation of the climate conducive for the continuation of political violence against political opponents, particularly in the ANC.
Both the ANC and the IFP were physically involved in the political violence that continued to plague Mandini in the post -1994 democratic elections. Both these parties did everything possible to assume political supremacy in the area. Their efforts led to gross human rights violations in Mandini. In this period, the evidence shows that the IFP was initially the aggressor in this violent conflict. It shows that the IFP, in most cases, offensively killed a number of people m Mandini in an attempt to preserve the status and dignity of the Zulu Kingdom.
The ANC is no angel. The ANC also contributed to the political unrest in Mandini in its defensive attacks and killings. However, there is very little evidence that points out to the ANC as an offender or the perpetrator of political violence in Mandini. The evidence shows that most people who were killed by the ANC were killed in defense. The focus of this chapter is therefore more on the IFP as an aggressor in this political conflict in Mandini. The period under question was
characterized by massive human rights violations, of which the IFP must bear full responsibility.
The situation in Mandini after April 1994 rapidly degenerated into lawlessness, chaos and disorder. The killings, abductions and maiming of people did not stop even under the democratic government that the parties had long fought for. The ANC described the violence against it and the efforts of creating a climate of no free political activity as an integral part of the IFP strategy to undermine the authority of the central government and the norms of fragile democracy that were still emerging. According to the ANC, neither the IFP president, Chief Buthelezi, nor the KwaZulu-Natal premier, Dr Frank Mdlalose, condemned these outrageous acts perpetrated against the ANC and politically innocent people of Mandini. In response, Minister of Safety and Security in the new government, Mr. Sidney Mafumadi, decided to increase the police presence in KwaZulu-Natal. Also, the size of the security force contingent was increased in most trouble-tom areas of Mandini. The ANC unequivocally supported such efforts but they were a bitter pill to swallow from the IFP. The ANC remained committed to any substantial meeting with the leaders of the IFP in an attempt to find a lasting solution and a restoration of peace in Mandini. The people of Mandini were completely tired of the dirty politics of these organizations at the expense of people's lives. The people of Mandini were yearning for peace and stability in the area and it was upon the shoulders of the ANC and the IFP leadership to do everything possible in their powers to ensure that their pleas were heeded.
The continuation of violence in the post-election period was generally characterized by the elimination of political opponents (political cleansing) of the IFP in Sundumbili Township, as well as in other rural areas surrounding this township. The rifts between these two parties further intensified in the period running up to local government elections in 1995. On Sunday 4 June 1995, the IFP held a rally at Sundumbili Stadium. Several prominent IFP leaders including Chief Buthelezi, Prince Gideon Zulu and Premier Frank Mdlalose graced this event. The IFP supporters came in all sizes to listen to their leaders speak on the latest developments on the political scenario. In this rally, Chief Buthelezi stated that the IFP was surrounded by a campaign of propaganda, which aimed to demonize the IFP. Chief Buthelezi replied to allegations made by Dr Nelson Mandela and the ANC, that the IFP was fomenting violence in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Chief Buthelezi asserted that the ANC had refused to commence international mediation to settle the fundamental issue of autonomy of KwaZulu and of federalism and pluralism throughout South Africa. Surprisingly, for the IFP, Dr Mandela made several threats to cut off funding to the province.
Chief Buthelezi regarded such threats as an intimidation. He said: "Our commitment to non- violence and passive resistance will finally overcome any type of intimidation ,,175. According to the IFP provincial spokesperson, Mr Blessed Gwala, the IFP believed that President Mandela's visit to KwaZulu-Natal had nothing to do with peace but that he had engaged himself in a campaign of discrediting ChiefButhelezi's image and crippling the IFP structures so that the
ANC would be able to run the province ofKwaZulu-Natal through the back door. 176 The ANC then issued a stem warning that it would not take part in the local government elections in the province unless violence and intimidation were brought under control.
The ANC called on the central government to increase the presence of the security forces in the province. According to the ANC, it was then clear that the ANC supporters and the communities at large were living under constant intimidation of their lives which obviously made campaigning impossible.
7.1. "BLACK TUESDAY" - THE SECOND ISITHEBE MASSACRE.
Political violence showed no signs of deteriorating in Mandini. It further escalated particularly in Isithebe in what came to be known as Black Tuesday177. Eleven (11) people were massacred in Isithebe on Tuesday morning, 09 May 1995. The attacks occurred while people were heading to work. Three (3) people died at about 6am at Okhovothi when gunmen opened fire with automatic rifles. The assassins were identified as IFP activists particularly Mr Bongani Mnyandu (a ruthless IFP killer) who were attached to local IFP warlord, Mr Robert Sibani Mdletshe.
176 See Zululand Observer. 01 June 1995.
177 The Black Tuesday is where eleven (11) people were cold-bloodedly shot dead with AK-47, Rl rifles and shotguns at Okhovothi near lsithebe on Tuesday morning, 09 May 1995. These were people on their
A short while later, in the Mbabane area closer to Isithebe, six (6) people were killed in the same way. It is alleged that all these victims were lined in a queue and shot one by one. The other two were subsequently killed in the very same area. The nature of this massacre which left eleven (11) people dead in Isithebe appeared to support the contentions of Mr Sam Zwane who said: "the problem is not that the people in the community are fighting each other here - this is the work of small groups of killers. This group is allegedly linked to a whole series of attacks in the Mandini area ,,178.
Surprisingly, those who witnessed the escape of the balaclava-clad attackers were not even interviewed by the KZP. According to one woman who witnessed the massacre, the attackers had calmly walked up the hill through the kraals after the assault chanting and laughing among themselves". They managed to identify Bongani Mnyandu because he had grown up in the area. The community in the valley was then living in fear because there were threats and rumours that Bongani wanted to come back and kill everybody.
The community pleaded to the army to come and protect them. Minister Sydney Mafumadi (accompanied by National Police Commissioner, General George Fivaz) paid a quick visit to the scene. He described the massacre as a "wanton act of thuggery"179.
Addressing the crowd of nearly 1 000 angry and desperate residents who had organized a march in protest against the perpetrators of political violence, Minister Mafumadi promised a much more visible police and security presence in the area. The minister warned the perpetrators that their crimes would not go unpunished. Minister Mafumadi said: "people who are not criminals should not fear the deployment of more police and soldiers... ... They are here to fight crime and not to engage in political work".
178 Sunday Tribune. 14 May 1995.
This massacre attracted much national attention. Speaking at the funeral of the May 9 massacre victims, President Nelson Mandela continued his threat to amend the constitution and to cut off funds to the KwaZulu-Natal government if violence was not brought under control. President Mandela described his critics as people who regarded the lives of black people as those of flies. President Mandela stated: "] am not going to be told by them what to do. ] will not withdraw one bit from my stand ] will amend the constitution and cut off the funds to stop violence in this province". President Mandela continued to argue that: "] do not value this constitution more than human life and] am going to protect my people ,,180. Earlier in this funeral, chaos broke out and two shots
were fired minutes after President Mandela arrived. The police assembled to protect him
looked on as a section of the 4 000 strong crowd attacked a man they believed was one of the people accused of the massacre. The ANC praise singer, Mr Philekahle Ntanzi, waded into the crowd and saved the man from being tramped to death. The police from the special guard unit then helped drag the bleeding man from the crowd then rushed him from the scene. Mr Bheki Cele, an ANC member of parliament, said that : "We cannot condone this kind of thing, but this is an indication of just how angry and frustrated people are. They need only a spark to ignite them ,,181.
180 See Sunday Tribune. 21 May 1995