This Day in History: 31 July 1998
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) expressed concern about stability in Manzimhlope, the KwaZulu-Natal lower south coast region, following the murder of IFP politician Sqoloza Xolo, who was blamed for the murder of G'caba by the African National Congress. Mr Xolo was the Chairman of the IFP Youth Brigade in the Ezingolweni area. The region experienced a renewed series of politically motivated killings in early July, when Deputy Mayor, Percy Thompson, and eight other people were shot and killed near a tavern in Richmond. All were members of the African National Congress. The death of Xolo came after a series of killings and arson. Violence in this area was allegedly sparked by a hand grenade attack on the house of ANC supporters. The ANC retaliated quickly, killing and burning houses of suspected killers, including Xolo who was shot in the head. Because of its proximity to Shoshobane, the site of the Christmas day massacre of 1995, the killing of Xolo threatened the fragile peace process in Kwazulu.
Click here to read our previous This Day In History about violence in South Coast of Kwazulu-Natal.
References:
http://www.anc.org.za/anc/newsbrief/1998/news0801
http://www.hsf.org.za/Briefing_13/flashpoints/Manzimhlophe/flash_Manzimhlophe%20.htm
http://www.ifp.org.za/Archive/Releases/310798pr.htm