One of the guns believed to have been used in the murder of three African National Congress members, including a party councillor, is also suspected to have been used in the 1995 Shobashobane massacre, KwaZulu-Natal minister of safety and community liaison Bheki Cele said on Saturday.
On Christmas Day 1995, hundreds of suspected Inkatha Freedom Party supporters attacked villagers in Shobashobane and killed 19 people.
Cele was speaking at the funeral of newly elected ANC councillor Zakhele Cele and his friends, Nkosingiphile Mavundla and Moses Gambushe, in Shobashobane near Port Shepstone.
The three were gunned down at their home last week Saturday.
Cele said they believe the gun disappeared from the local Ezinqoleni police station.
He also said a fourth suspect has been arrested in connection with the case.
Three men suspected of participating in the killing appeared in the Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court last week.
Speaking at the same funeral, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sbu Ndebele announced a total overhaul in the local police station.
ANC KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson Mtholephi Mthimkhulu said Ndebele made the announcement after the local police failed to render service to the community.
”People are complaining about the station’s ability to serve because people are asked whether they are a party that the policemen favour.”
Mthimkhulu said the deceased ANC councillor had reported to the police station that he had received death threats, but nothing was done.
Police say more than 14 000 people attended the funeral service.
Spokesperson Captain Gerald Ngidi said most of the people who attended the service were wearing ANC T-shirts and sang struggle songs.
No violent incidents were reported. More than 50 police officers and seven ambulances were deployed at the scene. — Sapa