'Cradock Four' inquiry heads to Port Elizabeth as part of its on-site inspection

JOHANNESBURG -The inquiry into the deaths of the Cradock Four has made its way to the beach in Port Elizabeth as part of its on-site inspection.

The court is being taken to significant locations linked to the assassination of the anti-apartheid activists in 1985.

Matthew Goniwe, Fort Calata, Sparrow Mkhonto and Sicelo Mhlauli were abducted by apartheid special branch police and brutally murdered.

The court took to the beach on Wednesday.

IN PICS: Gqeberha High Court Judge visits key locations linked to lives of ‘Cradock Four’

Police and the families of the Cradock Four have given evidence on beach sand near the Bluewater Bay dunes.

The investigating officer, Captain Anwar Jones, has marked a spot on the beach as the estimated location where Mhlauli was found 40 years ago.

“The area to your right, where the gentleman is standing with the white T Shirt, that is the area I am referring to. My Lady, I read the statement of warrant officer Lottering, he was attached to the New Brighton Mortuary.” 

Jones has given evidence in a similar way for the locations where Goniwe, Calata and Mhlauli’s bodies are believed to have been found.

The court has also heard that this is where the families performed a ritual for the repatriation of their spirits.