Task team investigates KZN mass grave

The team would consist of representatives from the office of the premier and the department of arts and culture.

Provincial spokesperson Thami Ngwenya said a memorandum was presented to the executive council, where it was informed of the discovery of suspected mass graves at the farm, which was known for using prison farm labourers.

“The executive council further resolved that other stakeholders should be engaged in particular the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), department of home affairs and others for further forensic investigation to determine the identities of those buried,” said Ngwenya.

“The executive council further resolved that such investigation should not be limited to the investigation of the identification of the next-of-kin of those remains in the mass grave, but must include documentation of the history and effects of influx control laws. The council will advise on progress once all necessary consultations have been done.”

The graves containing nearly 100 skeletons had initially been discovered in August 2014 on a sugarcane farm in KwaZulu-Natal.

Private forensic investigator David Klatzow said it was vital the bones should be properly preserved to determine if violence was used, South Coast Herald reported.

“This is very suspicious,” he said.

– Caxton News Service