KZN mass graves a ‘complex issue’

Provincial spokesperson Thamsanqa Ngwenya described media reports surrounding the perceived mystery of the graves as “misleading” and “disingenuous”.

“There could be no better opportunity to exercise restraint in what we report and how we report it than this singular unprecedented issue under a democratic South Africa,” Ngwenya added.

The graves, said to contain the skeletal remains of about 100 people, were discovered at Glenroy Farm in August last year. It is believed the remains belong to Apartheid-era prison labourers who worked on the farm in the 1960s and 1970s.

Police, along with the provincial department of arts and culture, directed all of The Citizen’s queries to the office of the premier.

Ngwenya said a task team investigating the graves comprised the premier’s office and the KZN department of arts and culture. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), along with the department of home affairs and other institutions, would be involved in forensic investigations to determine the identities of those buried.

Ngwenya added that further information would be released once stakeholders had been consulted.

“We are in consultation with all key stakeholders on the best way forward that will lead to identification of those remains, the possible causes and period of their deaths,” he said.

– Caxton News Service