The Bongolethu Three shooting

On the 24 September 2012, a monument was unveiled in honour of the Bongolethu Three in Freedom Square, Oudsthoorn. On 17 June 1985, three children, Andile Majola, Fezile Hanse and Patrick Madikane, were shot dead at the house of an African security policeman by members of the Riot Unit. Several other youths were seriously injured but were taken into custody by police and subsequently charged with public violence. Xolile Lwana was shot in the head with birdshot, leaving him permanently physically and mentally disabled. Police versions of the event and eyewitness accounts differ. Residents of Bongolethu argue that the shooting was essentially an ambush. Youth gathered at the house did not know that there were policemen waiting in the house. One constable stated that one youth actually went into the front room of the house, but the policemen did not reveal their presence. No warnings were issued and no warning shots fired. In addition, buckshot was used as opposed to the lighter birdshot. The police officers said they had acted in self-defence after a crowd attacked the township house that they were guarding. One policeman testified that one of the youths had sprinkled petrol onto the carpet of the house and that another had matches on him. In order to stop him from striking the match, the policemen in charge shot the child. The other two children were shot in the process of fighting the crowd which had gathered outside the house. After what became known as the ‘Bongolethu Three’ incident, the townships of Bongolethu and Bridgeton in Oudsthoorn remained in a state of ongoing revolt and political upheaval until the end of the year, with mass detentions and trials continuing in 1986. All African police were driven out of the townships during this period. In 1989, the graves of the Bongolethu Three were desecrated by unknown people.