Looking back on South Coast history, 1991 to 2000: February 26 to March 4
Tarzan and a tiny turtle did little to relieve the reports of murder and mayhem.
It was the beginning of a long, sad tale.
February 26
1993
“Charred body found in boot of car.”
1999
“Umzimkulu Mill’s centenary celebration marked an illustrious milestone in the history of not only the mill and the Illovo Group, but also the South Coast.”
February 28
1992
The new South Africa was about to get under way. “The Department of Home Affairs Port Shepstone is gearing up for the March 17 referendum which President FW de Klerk has called in order to obtain a mandate from white voters for his reform process to go ahead.”
“Twelve sheep carcasses, believed to have been dumped from a ship, washed up last week on beaches from Port Shepstone to Port Edward.”
But a live discovery was far more interesting. “There was great excitement at the Natal Parks Board when a resident of Melville phoned to say she had seen a hatchling turtle on the beach at Turtle Bay. It is thought this was probably a loggerhead turtle.”
1997
“Film makers are once again using the natural beauty of Southern KwaZulu-Natal to make international movies. A television series and a feature film will be made, coincidentally both about Tarzan.”
But as Tarzan swung through the trees near Port Edward, survivors relived the horror of just over a year earlier. “As the Shobashobane massacre trial entered its fourth week, a witness recalled how the attacking mob had first looted residents’ homes before setting them alight on Christmas Day 1995.”
Although it was reported: “Political killings decrease in province.”
March 1
1996
“Bail was refused for James Zulu, regional chairman of the IFP, at Port Shepstone Regional Court on Tuesday, because witnesses might be intimidated and feared for their lives if he was not kept in custody. Mr Zulu … is charged with the murder of regional ANC leader, George Mbhele, who was gunned down in his Fairview Mission School office two years ago.”
March 3
2000
Another recurring story… “Port Shepstone businesses suffered millions of rands in loss of turnover due to a power failure on Monday.”
And ATMs were under siege… “The NBS cash machine was removed from a Port Shepstone shopping centre sometime last Sunday night.”
“The Port Shepstone Rotarians and PC have joined forces to help build a water reservoir for a children’s home.”
March 4
1994
“Sey-shells restaurant on Port Shepstone’s beachfront was rocked by an explosion on Sunday night.”
And… “A man, claiming to be speaking on behalf of the Natal Liberation Army, telephoned the Herald on Monday this week to claim responsibility for the explosion at the Sey-shells Restaurant.” He said he believed the ANC held meetings there.
The year-long saga of the charred body in the car came to an end. “The killers of Marina Beach artist Giambatista ‘Tittas’ Fasciotti were sentenced to death in the Supreme Court, Durban, last Friday.”
“In Madakane Ward near Murchison two men were fatally wounded when two armed men stormed their kraal and began shooting wildly last Sunday night.”
But the Egyptian ambassador visited Port Shepstone.
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