Deepdale (K13)

Name: Deepdale
DEEPDALE MASSACRE
Four ANC Deepdale leaders were assassinated and three seriously injured when assassins ambushed a van carrying ANC leaders and supporters last Thursday, 30 September 1993, afternoon. The ambushers first stuck between Mayflower and Feni village (villages in KaNgwane) but the ANC delegation, which was from a court hearing in Mayflower and en route to Deepdale, managed to escape and sought help at the Feni police - station. The Feni police-station could not come to their rescue. As the delegation proceeded from Feni to Deepdale using a safe route, they were again spotted by the ambushers, overtaken by the assassins van, waylaid at the Deepdale entrance and on their arrival at the entrance at 15h00, two AK 47 wielding assassins sprayed bullets on the bakkie.

Whilst four executive members were instantly killed and three seriously injured in the ambush, two branch leaders managed to escape unhurt because the assassins ran out of ammunition. The leaders who were instantly killed are:

(1) Mr. Abraham Vilakazi, age 26 years, Deputy Secretary of the ANC Deepdale branch.

(2) Mr. Wilson Maseko, age 23yrs, Deputy Chairperson.

(3) Mr. Mischalk Motha, age 30yrs, Treasurer.

(4) Mr. Mandla Mabaso, age 20yrs, Additional member and Chief Marshall.

Those who are inured are:

(1) Mr. Charles Dlamini additional members, admitted at Ermelo hospital.

(2) Mr. Velaphi Khabayo, additional member, transferred from Ermelo to Kalafong hospital.

(3) Mrs Ida Myeni, active in establishing ANC Women's League in Deepdale.

The two leaders who escaped unhurt are:

(1) Mr. Ziki Vilakazi, the branch Chairperson whose brother, Abraham was killed in the ambush and his sister, Belecia Vilakazi who was killed on the 24th August 1993 allegedly by the same ambushers,

(2) Mr. Joshua Nkosi, the branch Secretary.

The driver of the assassins van and two other passengers who were with the driver in the drivers seat are known to the ANC and their names have been given to the police. The registration of the assassins van and that of the Cressida that was used by the assassins to get away from the ambush scene have also been given to the police. The name of one of the assassins, who was once arrested by the Mayflower police for being in possession of an unlicensed fire-arm, has also been given to the police.

The ANC Regional Executive Committee has sent a high-powered delegation to Deepdale today to meet with families of the deceased and the broader community. The delegation is led by the Regional Secretary, Mr. January "Cher" Masilela. The R.E.C is also concerned and angered by the failure of the KaNgwane police to come to the aid of the Deepdale ANC leaders when the first ambush attempt failed. The ANC also wants an explanation from the KaNgwane police as to why the police failed to attend to the matter when it was reported to them on Thursday night but only reacted on Friday, a day after the incident. The ANC has also taken note of women utterances made by the KaNgwane police stationed in Mayflower after the murder of Chief Tobias Nkosi to the effect that ANC members will only vote in their graves and that they will see to it that the ANC gives way to another organisation.

The ANC is convinced that the assassination of its Deepdale leaders was carried out by elements in the Insika Party, some Inkatha hit-men with an absolute knowledge of some KaNgwane policemen stationed at Mayflower. The ANC, apart from assisting the police with every piece of information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of the murderers, will also be approaching the Goldstone Commission to investigate what the ANC believes are attempts by Insika Party, the I.F.P and some policemen in KaNgwane to wipe the ANC out of existence. The ANC reserves its right to defend itself, its leaders and its members in the face of this onslaught against the organisation.

The Regional Executive Committee of the ANC, led by the Regional Secretary - Mr. Masilela, will tomorrow hold an urgent meeting with the KaNgwane government. The KaNgwane government delegation will be led by the Chief Minister, Mr. M.C. Zitha. High on the agenda of the meeting will be the assassination of ANC leaders, the killing of Chief Tobias Nkosi in July this year, the conduct of KaNgwane police and corrective action. A Commission of Truth to look into the entire Deepdale saga will also be proposed by the ANC delegation. The ANC will also request the KaNgwane government that the ANC be part of the investigation dealing with the assassination.

The ANC urges the police investigating the assassination of its Deepdale leaders to urgently arrest the murderers. The ANC believes that the police have all the information they need to effect arrests. The ANC also warns the Insika and I.F.P alliance that they will never be allowed to kill its members with impunity, this deadly alliance cannot wipe the ANC out of existence in Deepdale or anywhere in the Region. It cannot match the ANC in terms of numbers and in any quarter. The ANC remains committed to peace in the region and in the entire Country. It is for only this reason that the ANC is allowing the law to take its course on the assassination of its leaders in Deepdale and not because of cowardice or inability to react and deal effectively with the murderers.

Issued by: Department of Information and Publicity
PO Box 61884
Marshalltown 2107
5 October 1993

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