Daveyton Massacre remembered as community honours fallen victims

Community members gathered at the Marivate Park in Daveyton on March 2 to commemorate the victims of the Daveyton Massacre, a tragic event that claimed the lives of 12 people, including an 11-year-old girl caught by a stray bullet, on March 24, 1991.

Usually held at the memorial park where the commemoration takes place annually, this year the event had to be held at Tshezi Street, the Amabutho head office.

It brought together survivors, families of victims, community organisations, and young people to reflect on the painful chapter in Daveyton’s history.

The programme included a prayer at the park before a peaceful march through the streets of Daveyton, where attendees sang struggle songs and carried placards in honour of those who died.

The march set a powerful tone of remembrance and unity, and the proceedings continued at the office.

Mhlanguli Headman Desi, the chairperson of the Central Executive of Amabutho, who is also a survivor of the massacre, shared an emotional reflection:

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“I was there in 1991 when we were brutally, unfairly attacked by the police at the park. Every year we come back not just to mourn, but to remind people that this happened here. We owe it to those who passed to keep their memory alive.” Desi said.

Despite the significance of the day, Desi expressed disappointment over the absence of the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) representatives.

According to them, the city had previously committed to hosting the memorial but failed to do so this year.

Desi said the CoE cited procedural issues, claiming that the community should have formally requested the use of the venue two days before the commemoration.

“It’s painful because this is our history. The municipality knows this event and its importance, yet we are told we didn’t ‘book’ the space. It is worse because they offered to take charge of this cause, and now they are being incompetent,” Desi highlighted.

Members of the ANCYL also attended the commemoration, emphasising the importance of educating younger generations about the massacre as most of the youth there are unaware of this issue.

“We may not have lived through it, but we understand what it means. People died here, and it’s our duty to make sure their story is never forgotten. We hope to get more exposure and mobilisation soon,” a youth league representative, Mandisi Ndaliso, said.

The known fallen Amabutho are:
• Mbuyiselo Ngcuka from Daveyton
• Nunuse Stuurman from Lady Frere
• Ntobeko Dubase (killed at Kheswa Street, not far from Sinaba Stadium) from Transkei
• Sthembiso Velelo from Tsomo
• Stuurman Ngesi from Wickleson
• Galelekile Mposo from Lady Frere
• Simon Ntsondwa from Lady Frere
• Vuyisile Jeffrey Jenxa from Lady Frere
• Aaron Tusante from Statering
• Mnyamezeli Ndlazi from Mount Ayliff
• Douglas Zihle from Daveyton
• Nomathamsanqa Ntsolo (child struck by a stray bullet) from Daveyton

While the lack of municipality involvement left the Amabutho frustrated, the strong turnout and community spirit ensured that the legacy of the Daveyton Massacre continues to live on.

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