Struggle heroes from Diepdale in Albert Luthuli Municipality near Elukwatini were commemorated yesterday by the Gert Sibande District Municipality’s executive mayor, Cllr Muzi Chirwa at the Diepdale community hall.

Bellashia Thangathini Mama Africa Vilakazi, Abraham Mbandeni Spokes Vilakazi, Mandla Nichodemus Castro Mababaso, Meshack Msongelwa Corporal Motha and Zwelibanzi Wilson Maseko were mowed down with AK47 assault rifles on 30 September 1993 by IFP members.

The IFP were opposed to the democratic negotiations that led to the country’s first democratic elections on 27 April 1994.

There were five survivors of this unfortunate incident who lived to tell the story.

Alltheir families attended the commemoration which started with a five kilometer walk led by Chirwa through the village.

They then made a stop at the local graveyard where members of the MKMVA paid homage to the four heroes and heroine in military style with a gun salute and handed out SA flags to the five families.