Nine policemen are killed in Cato Manor riots in Durban, shortly before the infamous Sharpville Massacre

Date: 24 Jan 1960
Updated: 24 Jan 2020

On 24 January 1960, nine policemen were killed by an angry mob at Cato Manor in Durban. The incident happened after a raid by police searching for illicit liquor. This was at a time when the policemen would attempt to forcefully remove black people from Cato Manor, an area inhabited by both Africans and Indians.

Tensions were high and the police were met with strong resistence. The police attempted to escape, but were overwhelmed by the group. Among those killed were four White policemen and five Black policemen. This is believed to be the highest number of police killed in a single incident. An emergency meeting was held in the House of Assembly where the Minister of Justice, Mr. Erasmus refused to appoint a judicial commission of inquiry into the rioting.

The incident happened a few weeks before the Sharpeville massacre, where 69 people were killed when police opened fire on protesters, with scores left injured.

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How we know this

01The Cape Times, (1960), ‘Nine police massacred at Durban’, 25 January, [Available at the South African National Library, Cape Town Campus] pg 1.
02Electric Jive, ‘The Drive-Zone 6 (1976)’, [online], available at https://electricjive.blogspot.com [Accessed 14 January 2011]

Last updated · 24 Jan 2020

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2012, January 19). Nine policemen are killed in Cato Manor riots in Durban, shortly before the infamous Sharpville Massacre . South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/zu/ref/E-0072841

South African History Online (2012) 'Nine policemen are killed in Cato Manor riots in Durban, shortly before the infamous Sharpville Massacre ', South African History Online, 19 January. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/zu/ref/E-0072841 (Accessed: 22 July 2026).

South African History Online, Nine policemen are killed in Cato Manor riots in Durban, shortly before the infamous Sharpville Massacre [website], https://sahistory.org.za/zu/ref/E-0072841, (accessed 22 July 2026).

"Nine policemen are killed in Cato Manor riots in Durban, shortly before the infamous Sharpville Massacre ." South African History Online, 19 Jan. 2012, https://sahistory.org.za/zu/ref/E-0072841. Accessed 22 July 2026.

South African History Online. "Nine policemen are killed in Cato Manor riots in Durban, shortly before the infamous Sharpville Massacre ." South African History Online. January 19, 2012. https://sahistory.org.za/zu/ref/E-0072841.