Young victims of 1985 police operation honoured
She encouraged the young people of KwaThema to draw wisdom and inspiration from the sacrifices made by their forebears who lost their lives on the night of June 25, 1985.
KwaThema – Ekurhuleni’s Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Clr Nomadlozi Nkosi, has, on June 29, honoured the young victims of the apartheid police operation, codenamed Zero Hour, that led to their death in 1985 around KwaThema, Tsakane and Duduza.
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The young victims were given zero-timed handgranades by the members of the Security Branch of the apartheid police who were disguised as MK operatives, which exploded in their hands.
The victims were, among others, Veli Mazibuko, Mbowa Mashiane, Solomon Mashabane, Stephen Modisane, Vincent Nonkwindla, Jabulani Mahlangu and Congress Mtshweni.
Nkosi, together with the community of KwaThema, laid wreaths at their graves in Rest in Peace Cemetery in KwaThema.
She encouraged the young people of KwaThema to draw wisdom and inspiration from the sacrifices made by their forebears who lost their lives on the night of June 25, 1985.
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“The apartheid government might have thought they were misleading these young people back then, little did they know that by killing them they were actually intensifying and fuelling the resolve to fight.
“I hope young people today learn of their history and use it for their own development,” said Nkosi.
ANC chief whip Clr Jongizizwe Dlabathi says he is pleased the victims were finally honored.
“I am happy that we have fulfilled the commitment we made to the families to erect a tombstone in order to remember the victims,” he says.
