KWANDEBELE 1986 – Independence Resistance

In 1986, the KwaNdebele homeland was scheduled for independence by the apartheid government, but this move was met with resistance from the local population. The conflict over independence led to widespread human rights violations, with over 700 reported cases, including killings, assaults, and arson attacks. 150 people are reported to have died. A vigilante organisation known as Imbokodo, led by the homeland’s political and economic elite, played a significant role in the conflict. This document, compiled by the JOED Multipurpose Organisation, delves into the socio-political dynamics that led to the violent clashes, giving voice to the struggles of the people against the apartheid regime’s divisive policies.