Political Killings Still Common in KwaZulu-Natal

I was in KwaMashu yesterday with Mrs. Miriam Cele; the woman who, in 1989, took me to visit the families of the life prisoners in the townships outside of Durban.  There was tremendous political violence then, and it continues even now.  This morning, I read in The Mercury newspaper that two men were murdered and one woman injured in KwaMashu over the weekend.  A gunman shot the man and woman through a window in their home.  The man had defected from the IFP (Inkhata Freedom Party) and joined the ANC last month.  Another man was shot and killed an hour later while walking in an alley.  Seven people have been killed and 3 injured in this township since the beginning of the year.  It is rumored that there is a political hit list out on 3 NFP (National Freedom Party) and 3 ANC members.  The brother of one of the men killed said, "It's out of control.  Suspects, in many cases, end up not being arrested and cases fizzle out... peace needs to be restored fast."  All of this reminds me of when I was walking through the Hammersdale township in 1989.  Mrs. Cele was telling me that there had been and is tremendous violence in that area.  It was quiet when were we walking around and I didn't understand how it could be so violent.  She said, "It is quiet now, but just wait until dark; that's when all the violence occurs."  Violence, particularly in this part of the country, is expected on only increase in the run up to the national elections on 7 May.