THE Moerane Commission of Inquiry yesterday heard how politics played a major role in the violence at Glebelands Hostel in Umlazi, south of Durban.
Major-General Dumezweni Chiliza told the commission, which is investigating political killings in KZN, that factions started forming just before the 2009 elections.
Chiliza, a provincial commissioner for crime intelligence, led the task team that investigated violence in the hostel from 2009 to 2015.
He told Judge Marumo Moerane the first faction was a group that was not happy with the appointment of Councillor Mshiyeni Mzobe.
“The group, known as the Mthembus, was led by a man named Bongani Mthembu,” said Chiliza.
“All of them were ANC members as the hostel is dominated by supporters of the ruling party.
“They held marches in the hostel and called for the councillor’s removal. The group allegedly evicted some residents and sold their bed spaces for between R900 and R1 500.”
Chiliza said the trouble started when another group, known as the Hlophes, opposed the Mthembus.
“The groups would hold marches on the same day. In 2010, they started stabbing people.
“From 2010 to early 2014, there was a total of 24 murders. Later that year, the killings escalated dramatically.”
Close to 100 people have been killed at Glebelands Hostel over the years.
The death toll stood at 93 in August when a 38-year-old man was gunned down at the hostel.
