Duncan Village

Explanation
Violence erupted in Duncan Village, outside East London, following the funeral of slain Durban-based UDF leader Victoria Mxenge in nearby Rayi villageon 11 August 1985. Returning mourners carried out arson attacks on various buildings including the rent office, schools, a beerhall, a bottle store and a community centre. That evening, rampaging youths swept through the Ziphunzana area of the township, singing freedom songs. All six community councillors' homes were burnt down and homes of police officers and suspected collaborators were also attacked. Violence continued on the following days with looting and burning of commercial and delivery vehicles, and running battles between youths and members of the security forces, who resorted to deadly force to restore order in the area, arresting many injured people as they were being treated at a local church aid centre. Five people were dead by 14 August. By 16 August, the toll had risen to 19 people dead and 138 injured.