THE Eastern Cape government has said it will deal with the challenges facing families affected by the Bisho Massacre.
This promise comes after Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle arranged a meeting with the families through the department of sport, arts, culture and recreation.
The Bisho Massacre took place on 7 September 1992 when the Ciskei government police gunned down 28 marchers.
More than 20 000 protesters had peacefully marched from King William’s Town to Bisho to hand over a petition to the Ciskei ruler at the time, Brigadier Oupa Gqozo.
Some of the survivors of the massacre managed to attend the important meeting.
Paulos Mantyi (47) from Ndevana Village, King William’s Town, who was one of the marchers in 1992, said he was positive about the outcome of the meeting.
“I was shot in my right leg. It was torn to pieces but the bullet is still in my leg. Doctors assisted me and for that I’m grateful,” Paulos said.
Mthuthuzeli Phuphani (63) from Pierie Mission still has a bullet in his chest from the shooting.
He said doctors advised him not to go ahead with surgery to remove the bullet as it was situated in a delicate part of his lungs.
Mthuthuzeli hoped his children, who are studying at tertiary institutions, would have job opportunities when they graduate.
Andile Nduna, spokesman for the department, told Daily Sun that the premier had asked the department to handle the matter.
“We are going to profile family members who were affected during the massacre.
“We will also follow up with the department of social development to visit the families and check on the challenges they face.
“Government wants to assist where there is a need,” he said.
The families were urged to assist the department with brief biographies of the 28 victims.
They want to add these to their names on the wall of remembrance at the Bisho Memorial in time for the 25th commemoration of the bloody day.
