Cofimvaba to get monument to PAC fighters shot in 1960

INTSIKA Yethu Municipality, in conjunction with the provincial and national governments, is to erect a monument in memory of seven Poqo members from the military wing of the PAC who were shot at KuNtlonze mountain near Cofimvaba on December 12 1960.

This was announced yesterday during the commemoration of the incident, held at Ntlonze village by the municipality.

The men, armed with pangas and knobkieries, had travelled from the Western Cape to Cofimvaba in an effort to free the PAC leaders detained there.

The authorities believed that Poqo was intending to kill K D Matanzima and all other traditional leaders who supported the apartheid regime.

The first group of nine Poqo members camped on the mountain.

However, their presence became known as they passed through Queenstown, prompting the security forces to follow them up the mountain.

Six Poqo members were shot dead, while others ran away or were arrested.

Their leader, Albert Shweni, was sentenced to 20 years on Robben Island but was later hanged.

Intsika Yethu mayor Jongumzi Cengani said the municipality was identifying all struggle heroes from the municipal area.

“We are establishing the Liberation Heritage Route and all heroes – from all the political parties which have contributed in the freedom of our people – need to be recognised.

“We are not focusing only on ANC heroes. The history of our liberation is not complete without mentioning the PAC.

“The PAC, like the ANC, made a pivotal contribution to the freedom of this country and nobody could deny that. We need to recognise all the heroes,” Cengani said.

PAC president Luthando Mbinda applauded the municipality’s efforts.