Date: 03/09/2003
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: Dowry: Press conference to announce outcome of Laingsburg mass grave investigation


REMARKS BY COBUS DOWRY, MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE THE OUTCOME OF THE LAINGSBURG MASS GRAVE INVESTIGATION, 3 September 2003

The Provincial Government of the Western Cape played a key role since the allegations surfaced of a mass grave for victims of the 1981 Laingsburg flood. In this flood 104 people lost their lives and the bodies of 72 people were never found.

The archaeological investigation now proved conclusively that there is no evidence to back the allegations.

From the start we had the cooperation from the Laingsburg Municipality and we have kept them informed as the investigations progressed.

The steps taken by the provincial government included in the following order:

* 28 February 2003: Task Team visited Laingsburg
* 24-27 March 2004: Radar scan Council for Geoscience
* 25 May 2003: Public meeting in Laingsburg
* 23 July 2003:: Imbizo at Laingsburg to start with a reconciliation process
* 23 July to 1 August 2003: Archaeological investigations

This whole investigation process by the Department of Local Government came at a cost of R207 445-91. When one considers the fact that the Provincial Government of the Western Cape values the dignity of any person or community in the Western Cape, these costs are fully justified in an effort to restore the dignity of a community. Therefore the Provincial Government did not hesitate to institute the necessary steps to achieve closure on an emotional issue, which still affects the lives of the broad Laingsburg community. It is now time for closure on this emotional chapter.

Breakdown of costs:

Public hearing of Task Team and advertisements: R51 681-51
Radar scan: R34 701-60
Archaeological investigation: R121 066-80

Total: R207 445-91

Enquiries: Jan Bosman on 083-7755-312
Issued by Western Cape Provincial Government
3 September 2003