Bisho massacre

The Bisho massacre occurred on 7 September 1992 in Bisho, in the nominally independent homeland of Ciskei in South Africa. Twenty-eight African National Congress supporters and one soldier were shot dead by the Ciskei Defence Force during a protest march when they attempted to enter Bisho to demand its reincorporation into South Africa during the final years of apartheid.

Background

Bisho (now spelled "Bhisho") was the capital of the Ciskei, a nominally independent homeland (bantustan) for the Xhosa people in South Africa. The system of racially segregated homelands had been a core of apartheid, but between 1990 and 1994, negotiations were taking place between the government of South Africa and the African National Congress (ANC) to end the apartheid system.

With multi-racial democratic elections as the likely outcome of the negotiations, the ANC wished to organise and mobilise its supporters in the Ciskei, particularly as it lay in the Eastern Cape area, a traditional stronghold for ANC supporters. However, its military leader Brigadier Oupa Gqozo resisted this and prevented the ANC from organising.

Protest march and massacre

On 3 September, the ANC sent a memorandum to President F. W. de Klerk demanding that he replace Gqozo with an interim administration which would permit free democratic activity in Ciskei, but De Klerk refused, on the grounds that the Ciskei did not fall under South Africa’s jurisdiction.cite book|first=Allister|last=Sparks|title=Tomorrow is Another Country|year=1994|publisher=Struik] At the time, negotiations had broken down, with the ANC withdrawing following the Boipatong massacre and accusing de Klerk's government of fomenting the violence.

As a result, the ANC began a campaign of "mass action", organising a protest march to occupy Bisho and force Gqozo's resignation. Gqozo sought a court interdict to prevent the march, and the magistrate ruled that it could take place at the homeland's independence stadium, outside Bisho, but could not enter the capital. The ANC refused to recognise the jurisdiction of the Ciskei court.

On 7 September, about 80 000 protesters gathered outside Bisho, signalling the wide opposition to Gqozo's rule. The meeting was led by senior ANC leaders including South African Communist Party Secretary General Chris Hani, Cyril Ramaphosa, Steve Tshwete and Ronnie Kasrils.

When Kasrils led a group trying to break through the Ciskei Defence Force lines to enter Bisho, Ciskei Defence Force soldiers opened fire on the marchers with automatic weapons, killing 28 marchers and one soldier, and injuring over 200. More than 425 rounds were fired, the first fusillade lasting one-and-a-half minutes, and the second lasting a minute.cite web|url=http://www.buffalocity.gov.za/visitors/massacre.stm|title=Bhisho Massacre|publisher=Buffalo City Municipality|accessdate=2007-02-20]

Various inquiries agreed that the order to fire came from Colonel Vakele Archibald Mkosana, who incorrectly told his commanders by radio that his troops were under fire, and was given permission to return fire. Rifleman Mzamile Thomas Gonya was also found to have opened fire with a grenade launcher, killing one marcher.cite news|title=Two face trial for Bisho massacre|publisher=Dispatch Online|date=2001-06-01|author=Feni, Lulamile & Flanagan, Louise|url=http://www.dispatch.co.za/2001/06/01/easterncape/AAMASACR.HTM]

Goldstone Commission

The Goldstone Commission was tasked with investigating the massacre, and Justice Richard Goldstone condemned Gqozo for preventing political activity in Ciskei as well as for the lethal brutality of the Ciskei Defence Force troops. It dismissed his claim that the demonstrators had fired first, and it was later found that a Ciskei soldier who died during the shooting had been shot by a fellow soldier. It recommended strong action against Gqozo and those responsible. It also condemned Ronnie Kasrils for his irresponsible action in leading marchers breaking through the razor wire and provoking the forces into opening fire.cite web|url=http://www.sahistory.org.za/pages/chronology/thisday/1992-09-23.htm|title=Goldstone Commission investigates the Bisho Massacre|accessdate=2007-02-20|publisher=South African History Online]

Aftermath

Ultimately, the massacre led to new negotiations between the ANC and the government. Nelson Mandela met de Klerk on 26 September and signed a Record of Understanding, establishing an independent body to oversee police operations.cite book
last=Mandela
first=Nelson
title=Long Walk to Freedom
year=1994
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Gqozo remained in power in Ciskei but resigned shortly before the elections of 27 April 1994.

A granite monument was erected on the site of the massacre, outside Independence Stadium, off Maitland Road between Bhisho and King William's Town. It was unveiled by Archbishop Desmond Tutu in 1997. The victims were buried in Ginsberg township outside King William's Town.

Truth Commission hearing and prosecution

Only two applications for amnesty for the massacre were received by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, from Colonel Mkosana, who gave the order to open fire, and Rifleman Gonya, who fired a grenade launcher. Gqozo agreed to testify before the TRC, but failed to appear after being admitted to a psychiatric hospital suffering from depression. [cite news|publisher=SAPA|url=http://www.doj.gov.za/trc/media/1996/9609/s960909e.htm|date=1996-09-09|title=Gqozo's to Testify at TRC Hearing on Bisho Massacre] [cite news|publisher=SAPA|url=http://www.doj.gov.za/trc/media/1996/9610/s961001a.htm|date=1996-10-01|title=Gqozo's Lawyers Deny TRC Contact on Hearing Date]

In 2000, both Mkosana and Gonya were denied amnesty on the grounds that their actions were reckless and disproportionate and not associated with a political motive.cite web|url=http://www.doj.gov.za/trc/decisions/2000/ac20122.htm|title=Amnesty Committee|pblisher=Trth and Reconciliation Commission|year=2000|accessdate=2007-02-20]

Following their failure to receive amnesty, Mkosana and Gonya were charged with one count of murder and Mkosana with 28 counts of culpable homicide. They were found not guilty on all charges on the grounds of self-defence.cite news|title=Mkosana, Gonya freed on all charges|publisher=Dispatch Online|date=2002-03-14 |first=Louise|last=Flanagan|url=http://www.dispatch.co.za/2002/03/14/easterncape/AAAFREE.HTM]

References