Youth rage follows the funeral of Victoria Mxenge

Political violence by the youth began after the funeral of assassinated Victoria Mxenge, a civil rights lawyer, who was respected and liked by the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) and other youth organisations across the country. The first incidence of violence was the killing and burning of a Ciskei police officer immediately after the burial of Mxenge. On 14 August, violence began to spread even further when groups of students from Duncan village moved from village to village burning government cars and buildings. By Wednesday they shifted their rage towards council leaders and workers who had not responded to their call for a workers' stay away to mourn the death of Mxenge. As result, 30 percent of the workforce in East London did not report for duty, forcing businesses to close down. The violence became very serious in Umlazi Township, Kwazulu-Natal, when it became fused with existing tension between COSAS members and the Inkatha Youth Brigade. Click here to read more about Violence at "Sarvodaya" Source: Weekly Mail Reporter. 1985. "Violence spreads to E London township, Weekly Mail August 16 pp 6.