Mhlaba Memela

Mhlaba Memela

Political parties in KwaZulu-Natal have started moves to bring closure to the history of violence and help political prisoners to return to their families.

Representatives from the ANC, IFP, UDM and prison services spoke to prisoners in Durban and Pietermaritzburg about the presidential amnesty for political prisoners this week.

Political-party representatives, whose parties were caught up in the violence that ravaged the province in the 1980s and 1990s, are confident that the presidential pardon would close the "ugly chapter" of political violence in KwaZuluNatal.

Thousands of people died in the conflict, initially between the IFP and the ANC.

The violence was later between the ANC and the UDM.

The representatives briefed prisoners about the special dispensation at New Prison in Pietermaritzburg and Westville Prison in Durban.

Correctional Services Commissioner Nkosinathi Nhleko, said he hoped the process will bring about lasting peace.