Inquest into murders of Cradock Four to proceed in court
The proceedings are to establish the circumstances surrounding the murders of anti-apartheid activists Matthew Goniwe, Fort Calata, Sparrow Mkhonto, and Sicelo Mhlauli.
The Cradock Four memorial in Cradock, in the Eastern Cape. Picture: Fort Calata Foundation/Facebook
JOHANNESBURG - The inquest into the killings of the Cradock Four is expected to proceed in the Gqeberha High Court in the Eastern Cape on Monday morning.
The proceedings are to establish the circumstances surrounding the murders of anti-apartheid activists Matthew Goniwe, Fort Calata, Sparrow Mkhonto, and Sicelo Mhlauli.
The four were detained and then murdered by the apartheid security branch in 1985.
It’s exactly 40 years since the Eastern Cape men, known as the Cradock Four, were killed in apartheid police custody, leaving their families shattered and seeking answers.
This case is one of many that made it before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), where jaw-dropping details were given on how and why the men were killed.
But it did not advance any further, prompting the men’s families and 24 others to pursue a R167 million lawsuit against government.
On Monday, the court should hear opening addresses from the lawyers involved before the court gives direction on the lined-up witnesses.
At this stage, it’s likely that only family witnesses will be called on to testify on the tragedy they experienced four decades ago.
Meanwhile, last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a proclamation for the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry to determine whether attempts were made to prevent the investigation and prosecution of other apartheid-era crimes.