Security fears for Inchanga funerals

ASTRONG police presence is expected in Inchanga, west of Durban, this weekend for the funeral of local SACP and ANC members killed during violence between supporters of the two parties last week.

Former Durban mayor and SACP provincial chairman James Nxumalo and ANC leaders held a private meeting with Community Safety and Liaison MEC Mxolisi Kaunda at the Inchanga police station yesterday to discuss plans for peace.

The area has been ravaged by conflict caused primarily by the ANC’s councillor nomination process.

At least four people have been killed this year, including two last week.

The SACP’s Nsiki Blose was killed near a tavern, and a few hours later Xolani Ngcobo of the ANC was stoned and killed by a mob in what is believed to have been a tit-for-tat act. Both will be buried in the area on Sunday.

After the murder, violence erupted. Houses were set alight.

On Wednesday it was proposed that a memorial service for the two be held together, but the warring factions of the two organisations objected and the service was abruptly called off.

The Department of Community Safety and Liaison said in a statement that both families had agreed to a combined memorial service, but the atmosphere did not allow for it.

It said the memorial service had been postponed to September 1 and would be a community prayer meeting.

Local residents aligned to the factions said there was no way “enemies would have gathered under one marquee”.

“The wounds are still too fresh and animosity is still rife,” said a local SACP supporter. “People have been killed and houses burnt down, which makes it impossible for people to forget and forgive just like that.”

Another party member said the ANC national leadership should come to Inchanga to address the people about matters that divided them. and shops

“We don’t want the ANC to give us criminals to lead us,” he said.

Kaunda urged the public to refrain from violence.

“We were disturbed by the high level of lawlessness in the area as members of the community embarked on violent protests, characterised by the barricading of roads and burning tyres.

“Our message is clear: violence will not solve problems, it will divide the community even further.”

He said the ANC and SACP had agreed to meet regularly and attend to political issues dividing people.

ANC provincial secretary Super Zuma said there had been issues of the memorial service and they did not want to impose anything on the families and the community.

He said there was still a long road ahead.

“We know that the solution is going to come from the people of Inchanga and all we can do is assist them.

“We hope that this is the last time we speak because there are problems in the area,” Zuma said.