Sharpeville.

Date: 4 September, 1984

The Deputy Mayor of Sharpeville, Sam Dlamini was hacked to death by a mob of youth, and doused in petrol and burned. The riots were in protest against rent increases and poor education facilities. In addition, the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act 110 of 1983 had been tabled and approved by parliament and was due to go into effect later in September. The new constitution made provision for the tri-cameral system of government that included White, Indian and Coloured representation but excluded African people from parliament. Against this backdrop, rioting and violence in the Vaal Triangle had resulted in the killing of Dlamini, and two local councillors who were accused of being puppets of the apartheid regime. The youth wanted all Black councillors and mayors to resign from their position as a sign of offering solidarity to their cause.

Click here to read more on the development of SA's political system and to learn more about The Policing of Public Gatherings and Demonstrations in SA:1960 -1994 , by the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation.

References:

1. Mercer, D. (1998). Chronicle of the 20 th Century: The Ultimate record of our times, Darling Kindersley: London, P 242.