Cradock Four: SANDF legal services head Lekoloana set to appear before court
This, after the SANDF was urgently instructed to ensure that former General Christoffel van der Westhuizen makes it to court to provide answers on the matter.
The surnames of the Cradock Four on pillars at a memorial site in Nxuba. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - The South African National Defence Force (SANDF)’s head of legal services, Masilo Lekoloana, is set to appear before the Gqeberha High Court on Tuesday to account for refusing to pay for the legal fees of former General Christoffel van der Westhuizen in the case of the Cradock Four.
This, after the SANDF was urgently instructed to ensure that he makes it to court to provide answers on the matter.
Van der Westhuizen was part of the State Security Council at the time of the murders.
The case currently runs the risk of delays because of the refusal of the SANDF to pay for Van der Westhuizen.
By law, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and SANDF are responsible for funding former employees who are appearing in the matter.
In June, the third inquest into the murders of the Cradock Four finally resumed after a delay of about 40 years.
Matthew Goniwe, Fort Calata, Sparrow Mkhonto, and Sicelo Mhlauli were killed by apartheid police in 1985.
Their case made it to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), but Van der Westhuizen did not appear before it.
The former State Security Council member is believed to have ordered a signal on 7 June 1985 to “urgently remove” the Cradock Four from society.