Eleven people are killed at Donnybrook, Kwazulu

The killing of eleven people at Donnybrook, Kwazulu-Natal on the 21 March 1996 can be considered as part of the ongoing rivalry between supporters of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and the African National Congress (ANC). This rivalry reached its height during the run-up to the 1994 elections. Kwazulu-Natal as a former IFP stronghold had a history of violent clashes between IFP and ANC supporters that began before the 1990s.  It is unclear whether these killings were retaliation or part of a greater action to destabilise the region.  Gunmen killed 11 people including a women and a baby in an overnight attack in Donnybrook.   Hours before the massacre, former President Mandela had opened the ANC's campaign for local government elections in KwaZulu-Natal.  Later that afternoon, the Government announced a ban on the carrying of weapons in public which included traditional weapons.