Motherland of assassins, violence

POLITICAL killings and assassinations are prevalent in KwaZulu-Natal and the province has earned the unenviable tag of being the motherland of hired assassins.

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Professor Nirmala Gopalal, criminologist and an academic leader in the School of Applied Human Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal weighs in.

Q. What factors have entrenched the culture of political assassinations?

A. Political assassinations in KZN carry a chilling and complex history, reflecting a deeply entrenched pattern of violence that has persisted for over four decades. This tumultuous region has been marred by the targeting of anti-apartheid activists, local civilians, political party members, and public office holders.

The scope of this violence extends beyond political circles; it also includes the tragic assassinations of esteemed local leaders, such as chiefs, and is intricately woven into the broader tapestry of violence within the taxi industry. The spectre of political assassinations reveals the multifaceted and interconnected challenges facing KZN.

Q. How much of today’s violence continues the armed conflicts of the 1980s and 1990s?

A. Political violence during the apartheid era was not a sporadic occurrence; it was a defining feature of the ongoing struggle between the oppressors and the oppressed. Even as South Africa transitioned into a democratic state, traces of that violence lingered, evolving with new ideological twists.

In the 1980s and 1990s, such violence became so normalised that it’s no wonder its echoes still reverberate today. As Schuld (2013) points out, “the Apartheid system played an important role in perpetuating political violence in areas reserved for black civilians in the 1980s and early 1990s.” This dark legacy continues to shape the societal landscape, reminding us of the urgent need for reflection and healing.”