Members of ANC's uMkhonto weSizwe salute in remembering the victims of one of the most gruesome acts of political violence. Picture: Siyabonga Mosunkutu

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• Remembering victims of 1995 attack

The attack started at 8am on Christmas Day in 1995, in the hilly area of Shobashobane, near Port Shepstone.

In the decade preceding the attack the area was the scene of a prolonged struggle between warlords aligned to either the IFP or ANC.

During the massacre, about 600 alleged IFP supporters, the front-runners with automatic weapons and pistols, and those coming behind with traditional weapons, went through the area.

Hundreds of people were injured and 19 died.

Many of the bodies were severely mutilated, possibly for muti, it was speculated. At least 90 huts were burned down.

Questions were raised at the time as to why the police, who had the information almost a month before the massacre, did not prevent the attack, or ensure they had enough people on duty.

After two years of investigation by policemen 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. This was disputed by both parties.

There have been accusations of a “third force” at work.

There have been a number of killings in the area since the massacre.

Source: Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation documents, www.sahistory.org.za