BHISHO — 1992 · Major Tragedy
The Bisho Massacre
On 7 September 1992 tens of thousands of ANC supporters marched on Bisho, capital of the nominally independent Ciskei homeland, demanding its reincorporation into South Africa and the removal of its military ruler. When marchers tried to breach the razor-wire border, Ciskei Defence Force soldiers opened fire with automatic weapons, killing 28 marchers and one soldier and injuring more than 200. The Goldstone Commission found the order to fire rested on a false report that troops were under attack. The massacre led to renewed negotiations between Mandela and de Klerk. In 2024 the site was declared a national heritage site.
- Date
- 1992
- Place
- Eastern Cape, South Africa, Bhisho, ZA
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- -32.8490, 27.4400 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 7 September 1992Ciskei soldiers fired on marchers.
- 1992The Goldstone Commission investigated.
- September 1992The ANC and government signed the Record of Understanding.
- 2024The site was declared a national heritage site.
Sources
- Wikipedia — Bisho massacre en.wikipedia.org ↗
- TimesLIVE — Site of Bhisho massacre receives national heritage status timeslive.co.za ↗
- SAHO — Bisho Massacre 1992 sahistory.org.za ↗
- Wikipedia
- SAHO
- TimesLIVE
- SABC News
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.