By Harold Lekhuleni
This month marks the 40th anniversary of the skirmish that took place between one of the gallant Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) cadre, Frank Thabane and the apartheid South African Police (SAP). It was on 19 March 1985 at around 12h00 when a police contingent flooded the house of Thabo Chiloane at Bafaladi Village in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, where Thabane was harboured.
When the apartheid police arrived in the house, they instructed all the occupants to come out and they complied except Thabane who clearly understood that the mission of the police was to capture him dead or alive. He mastered courage and remained in the house to prepare for an escape route.
The police began to unleash all artillery at their disposal to send a clear message that they meant business. The Rooivalk helicopter hovered around the area to reinforce the police on the ground. Their approach was to put their best foot forward. They even fired teargas canisters to try to smoke Thabane out of the house. In response, Thabane fired his AK 47 from within the house through the window. As he fired with his gun, the police contingent would retreat.
At a prime age of 23 years, Thabane was more prepared to die standing than to live on his knees. He was staring death in the face. The exchange of gunfire lasted about an hour. At an appropriate time, Thabane moved out of the house and hurled a hand grenade at the contingent of the police. This gave him an opportunity to run through the mealie-field. He was carrying his AK 47 rifle to defend himself in case he was pursued. As he ran through the mealie-field, he was shot on the leg by the South African Police. He kept on running until he disappeared into thin air. It was late in the night that he was arrested because he was bleeding profusely and he could not secure any medical treatment.
The following morning, 20 March 1985, a contingent of police raided Cottage No.1 at Bhekiswako Secondary School in Mahushu, near White River. They wanted Tshepo Malope, another MK cadre. He was harboured by Elfus Mogale, the Principal of Bhekiswako Secondary School. When they arrived at the cottage, they instructed all the occupants to vacate it.
Mogale and Monareng, who was a teacher at Mshanza Secondary School, complied and surrendered to the police. Malope remained in the house. They fired gunshots and teargas to smoke him out of the house. Although Malope lost his life during that skirmish, he remains a hero to a number of people who witnessed the incident and to those whom he managed to provide political education. As if he took a leaf from Steve Biko when he said “It is better to die for an idea that will live, than to live for an idea that will die.”
As we enjoy this freedom especially during March, our Human Rights month, we need to remember that there are those who died for it. We need to remember that this freedom we enjoy today was not freely given by the oppressor, but demanded by the oppressed. The likes of Thabane, Mogale, Thabo Chiloane, and Phillip Mogane were arrested for challenging the legitimacy of the government.
The March skirmishes at Bafaladi and Bhekiswako were unprecedented incidents in the history of Bushbuckridge and Mahushu, respectively. They were watershed moments that changed the political landscape of the two areas. These incidents awakened many people’s political consciousness. For a very long time, the liberation struggle focused on the underground movement. After these incidents, the community of Bushbuckridge began to experience mass mobilization, which was one of the pillars of the African National Congress (ANC). The arrival of Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi and Dr. Joe Phaahla at Masana Hospital gave more impetus to the liberation struggle.
It was in the late 1985 that Maviljan Youth Congress (MAVYCO) was formed. This was an organization that was aimed at mobilising the youth to participate in the liberation struggle of our country. Political education was provided to the youth who seemed to be interested in politics.
Some of those who were active in this structure were Vusi Mabaso, Landy Mashego Zondi Maphanga, Thabitha Malinda, and Big Mdluli, to mention a few. The civic organisation became another vehicle that mobilised the community of Bushbuckridge. Political meetings were organised under the auspices of the Civic Organisation.
As we commemorate the 40th anniversary of the skirmishes that occurred both at Bafaladi and Bhekiswako, we need to do good for the service of humanity and understand that those who much acquired, much is required of them.
Harold Lekhuleni is a senior member of the Oral History Association of South Africa and a History Subject Advisor of Bohlabela District, Mpumalanga Department of Education