Canaan Mdletshe
Canaan Mdletshe
There is a glimmer of hope that the 10-year-old feud between two warring factions in the Machibini area, outside Mtubatuba in northern Zululand, will come to an end.
Ezimambeni and Esiyembeni factions have been at war since 1998 - a war that has claimed 14 lives.
After two meetings failed to come up with a solution last week there was light at the end of the tunnel after leaders of the two factions - the Mpukunyoni traditional council representatives, members of the Simunye Peace Committee and the police - finally met yesterday to lay the foundation for a peace meeting at the end of the month.
Mpukunyoni traditional council spokesman Qhina Mkhwanazi said he was confident that the 10-year-old feud would finally come to an end.
He said a positive response from leaders of the warring factions gave hope to residents who had spent sleepless nights since the war began.
"The leaders of both factions seem willing to end this war and have both indicated a positive spirit to have peace," Mkhwanazi said. "We are highly motivated that this is finally coming to an end."
Mtubatuba police spokesman Captain Jabulani Mdletshe said both parties at the meeting took a positive part in the deliberations.
Peace in sight for KZN warring factions
Canaan Mdletshe
Canaan Mdletshe
There is a glimmer of hope that the 10-year-old feud between two warring factions in the Machibini area, outside Mtubatuba in northern Zululand, will come to an end.
Ezimambeni and Esiyembeni factions have been at war since 1998 - a war that has claimed 14 lives.
After two meetings failed to come up with a solution last week there was light at the end of the tunnel after leaders of the two factions - the Mpukunyoni traditional council representatives, members of the Simunye Peace Committee and the police - finally met yesterday to lay the foundation for a peace meeting at the end of the month.
Mpukunyoni traditional council spokesman Qhina Mkhwanazi said he was confident that the 10-year-old feud would finally come to an end.
He said a positive response from leaders of the warring factions gave hope to residents who had spent sleepless nights since the war began.
"The leaders of both factions seem willing to end this war and have both indicated a positive spirit to have peace," Mkhwanazi said. "We are highly motivated that this is finally coming to an end."
Mtubatuba police spokesman Captain Jabulani Mdletshe said both parties at the meeting took a positive part in the deliberations.