Accused No. 1 Kenneth Khumalo

Kenneth Khumalo was one of the “Upington 14,” anti-apartheid activists tried under the apartheid-era “common purpose” law following the 1985 killing of municipal policeman Lucas Sethwala during toyi-toyi protests in Paballelo, Upington. Born into a family of eight children, Khumalo passed matric in 1977 despite widespread boycotts. After being denied admission to Fort Hare, he moved to Johannesburg to seek work but returned to Upington due to apartheid influx control laws.

In Upington, Khumalo worked as a debt collector and clerk before periods of unemployment. He was active in civic life as vice-president of the Upington Christian Movement, a member of the Paballelo Town Council, and later served as mayor and treasurer before being dismissed following Sethwala’s death.

The court found Khumalo guilty of murder under the “common purpose” law, noting that he was part of the crowd stoning Sethwala’s house and seen carrying a bottle possibly containing petrol. His story reflects the intertwined pressures of political activism, community leadership, and systemic repression faced by Black South Africans during apartheid-era protests.