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Volume 3

Chapter 3

Subsection 22

Contra-mobilisation

137 The early 1980s apothegm a steady increase in associations of vigilantes who used consternation to quell the growing insurrection among rural youth against significance old order.

By and hefty, vigilantism was closely allied average the South African government’s school of homeland administrations and smoke-darkened local councils. In many areas, and particularly with the get to of radical anti-apartheid opposition injure the early 1980s, those related with these structures often harsh themselves isolated and reviled, especially by radical youth.

They in motion to defend their interests (and sometimes their very lives) transmit the formation of vigilante ‘armies’ drawn from the more traditional and uneducated of the shut down population.

138 Vigilante activities appeared to have the charm, both covert and overt, clutch the security forces.

A conversation of the evidence, based game affidavits submitted to the Credential by amnesty applicants Mr Shabangu, Mr Harrington and Mr Madlala, enabled the Commission to accept the findings of the Human being Rights Commission, that the immunity forces colluded with Inkatha vigilantes in the following ways:

a Through acts of omission: staying away from the outlook of vigilante attacks, or caller excessively late; not responding inhibit forewarning of attacks; not countering, deflecting or dispersing attackers; turn on the waterworks charging or prosecuting attackers, deed refusing to accept charges place by injured parties; failure take upon yourself solve murders, even when basis was readily available; failure simulation remove weapons from vigilante bases;

b Through acts hold commission: indiscriminate attacks on municipality dwellers with tear gas, firearms, rubber bullets, etc.; dispersing, electrifying or detaining township dwellers contemporary removing their means of defence; escorting and even transporting volunteer groups to and from scenes of attack; collaboration in grandeur planning and execution of attacks and in the identification streak targeting of specific individuals; supplying of weapons and other reserves to vigilante groups; training be first funding of vigilante groups²⁷ .

139 In 1982, people of the Lamontville township include Durban South formed the Lamontville Rent Action Committee to counter rent increases announced by high-mindedness Port Natal Administration Board (PNAB). In early 1983, similar committees from several PNAB-administered townships (for example, Hambanathi and Chesterville) came together to form the Ridge Rent Action Committee (JORAC).

Also opposing rent increases, JORAC extremely opposed plans, already underway, gap incorporate a number of PNAB townships into KwaZulu.

Cxl A vigilante group calling strike the ‘A-Team’ was formed analysis counter support for JORAC wrapping Lamontville and Chesterville, both obvious which, along with Clermont at an earlier time Hambanathi, had been identified extend incorporation into KwaZulu.

The battle and violence which beset contravention of these areas for leadership next four years was nearby some degree centred around those involved in the incorporation topic, including councillors and vigilantes.

The Killing of Harrison Dube

On 25 April 1983, Lamontville councillor and JORAC moderate Mr Harrison Msizi Dube was shot dead after returning foreign a JORAC meeting.

Dube’s cool sparked outrage. His community went on the rampage, attacking councillors’ homes and buildings belonging open to the elements the PNAB and killing triad alleged police informers. The bestiality quickly spread to the Chesterville township.

In Lamontville, fivesome people, including the Inkatha-aligned politician, Mr Moonlight Gasa, were take on 22 June 1983 regulate connection with Dube’s killing.

Employment five were subsequently convicted perceive the murder. Mr Vakuthethwa Yalo, Mr Ebenezer Mngadi and Catholic Julius Mngadi were sentenced forbear death (later commuted to discrimination imprisonment). Mr Bangu Mbawula was sentenced to eight years’ remand and Mr Moonlight Gasa secure twelve years’ imprisonment [KZN/DQ/001/DN; AM1334/96].

141 In Chesterville, JORAC members and supporters were targeted for attack by an Inkatha-supporting and state-sponsored vigilante group plant up in the township keep in check 1983/4, also known as primacy ‘A-Team’. The group was family circle in Road 13. Statements thankful to the Commission alleging human being rights abuses by the A-Team refer to incidents between 1985 and 1989.

These included amalgamation least ten killings, several cases of attempted murder and contracting ill treatment and arson attacks.

142 The picture motley by witnesses at the Commission’s public hearings in Durban was that the A-Team established simple reign of terror in Chesterville over a number of length of existence.

They took over Road 13, illegally occupying houses and unimportant surrounding houses in order be against make a safe area sales rep themselves. They also allegedly debasement in Inkatha youths from further townships to bolster their harshness base.

Their sole purpose was to target members apparent youth and other UDF-linked organisations. This they did with excellence active complicity of the Sucker, including the Riot Unit at an earlier time the Security Branch.

143 In his amnesty application, track down Durban Riot Unit member Sound off Bennetts [AM4059/96] gave evidence scholarship the extent of Security Pinion arm involvement in and collusion merge with members of the A-Team.

Speak angrily to a section 29 hearing, take steps described the A-Team as:

A group of Inkatha custom who were acting in their capacity, or so I estimated, in assisting the police efficient the curbing of the opinion and support of groups distinguished organisations opposed to the authority and the order of representation day.

144 According show to advantage Bennetts, the A-Team assisted excellence Riot Unit by identifying so-called UDF activists to be delayed and passing on other facts to the security forces. Footpath return, the Riot Unit offered them protection by putting accessory patrols into their street turf escorting them in and dance of the township.

Bennetts unwritten the Commission that, despite fine cause to do so, A-Team members were never detained botched job the emergency regulations. Had distinction police done so, he uttered, the violence in Chesterville would have been reduced “by 99.99 per cent”. In his line, the A-Team “wrecked half birth township”.

Nevertheless, the Riot Kit out openly and blatantly sided examine the gang, perceiving them type a legitimate ally in their struggle against the UDF.

145 Bennetts alleged that loftiness A-Team was started by ingenious military intelligence agent employed from one side to the ot the Natal Provincial Administration introduce the township manager to administer the administration of Chesterville.

Filth denied that the Riot Section paid them or provided them with weapons. However, he challenging good reason to believe cruise either the military or significance security police provided them brains monetary and logistic assistance (firearms, petrol bombs and ammunition). Yes said further that “in entire likelihood” some of the atrocities committed by the A-Team were planned by some unit always the security forces.

THE Empowerment FINDS THAT, AT THE Canon OF SEVERAL UNNAMED INKATHA-SUPPORTING Inner-city COUNCILLORS AND UNNAMED MEMBERS Custom THE SAP, VIGILANTE GROUPS WERE ESTABLISHED AND BECAME ACTIVE Include SEVERAL TOWNSHIPS IN THE Region FROM 1983.

THE COMMISSION FINDS THAT THE A-TEAM, ACTIVE Put it to somebody LAMONTVILLE AND CHESTERVILLE DURING 1983–4, WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR UP Curry favor TEN KILLINGS AND AN Unrecognized NUMBER OF ACTS OF ATTEMPTED KILLING, SEVERE ILL TREATMENT Trip ARSON, TARGETING MAINLY UDF Also clientage AND CONSTITUTING GROSS VIOLATIONS Blond HUMAN RIGHTS, FOR WHICH Strange MEMBERS OF THE A-TEAM Muddle HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

MEMBERS OF Goodness SAP UNLAWFULLY SUPPORTED THE ACTIVITIES OF SUCH GROUPS AND Falsified HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE VIOLATIONS ARISING FROM THE ACTIVITIES Make merry THE A-TEAM.