Cradock Four inquest adjourns until March

The Cradock Four inquest into the murders of anti-apartheid activists has been adjourned until March 2026.

Proceedings in the inquest into the 1985 deaths of the Cradock Four – Matthew Goniwe, Fort Calata, Sicelo Mhlauli, and Sparrow Mkhonto – wrapped up on Friday after sitting for two weeks at the Eastern Cape High Court in Gqeberha.

The reopened inquest was set up to establish if apartheid security branch police or any other persons can be held liable for the deaths of some anti-apartheid activists.

The latest session featured testimony from several former apartheid-era officials.

Among them was former deputy education minister, Sam de Beer, who confirmed that Goniwe had been labelled an "enemy of the state" by the apartheid security forces.

He testified that security forces interfered with efforts to reinstate Goniwe as a teacher in Cradock, adding that this was part of a broader strategy of suppressing political dissent.

Former intelligence operative, Craig Williamson, also appeared before the inquest, denying any involvement in the planningor execution of the murders.

He told the inquest that his work during the apartheid era focused on foreign intelligence operations rather than domestic assassinations.

Former security police officer, Isak "Krappies" Engelbrecht, who has been alleged to have acted as a "sweeper" in covert operations, also denied direct involvement in the killings but conceded to knowing of broader security operations during that period.

Retired General Christoffel van der Westhuizen, who served in the former South African Defence Force and was responsible for security coordination in the 1980s, also took the stand.

He denied any knowledge of or involvement in the abduction and murder of the Cradock Four, stating that he was unaware of any orders to eliminate the activists and distanced himself from operational decisions taken by regional security units.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Eastern Cape said his testimony providedfurther insight into the structure and coordination of apartheid-era security forces.

Former Vlakplaas commander and notorious apartheid assassin, Eugene de Kock, is yet to appear before the inquest after being hospitalised due to possible heart failure.

NPA regional spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, said the inquest would resume on 23 March 2026, when hearings are expected to resume with further witness testimony and the consideration of outstanding administrative matters.