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IOL News
4 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Cradock Four inquest resumes after nearly 40 years of silence
The inquest into the deaths of activists Sicelo Mhlauli, Fort Calata, Matthew Goniwe and Sparrow Mkhonto, known as the Cradock Four, has resumed for the third time. The four men were killed by Apartheid security forces in June 1985. Image: File picture: Benny Gool/Independent Media Archives More than 39 years after the murder of the Cradock Four and decades of unanswered questions, the third inquest into the deaths of the Cradock Four officially got under way at the Gqeberha High Court, in the Eastern Cape on Monday. The families of Fort Calata, Matthew Goniwe, Sparrow Mkhonto and Sicelo Mhlauli are hoping this renewed legal process will finally bring closure and accountability for the brutal killings of the four anti-apartheid activists who were tortured in 1985. The family's legal representative, Howard Varney, said that the death of the four young men was meticulously planned by the Apartheid security branch. "According to autopsy reports, Mhlauli died from stab wounds; Calata died from stabbing in the heart; Mkhonto died from a gunshot wound to the head and (was) stabbed in the heart. Mhlauli's body was found with a missing hand. "It is quite apparent that before death, the four were brutally tortured and mutilated. The Apartheid police created a cover story saying they were killed by elements from the Azanian People's Organisation (AZAPO) in a factional dispute. We intend to demonstrate that the death of the Cradock Four was brought about by way of a calculated and a premeditated decision by the Apartheid regime. It was meticulously planned by the security branch in an official operation," he stated. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Advocate Tembela Ngukaitobi, who represents some of the Goniwe family members, said he is hopeful that the truth will eventually come out in the latest inquest. "There is a high possibility that the full truth will emerge and some level of closure for the families would put an end to psychological trauma," he said. Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi attended the first day of the resumption of the inquest with departmental spokesperson, Terrence Manase indicating that 'this inquest forms part of ongoing efforts by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to address unresolved cases from the apartheid era and to advance justice and closure for affected families and communities". The inquest into the deaths of the four activists was previously halted due to funding challenges. Kubayi indicated that the state has in the past funded and supported multiple inquests and prosecutions, adding that a presidential Commission of Inquiry will determine whether anyone in government deliberately stalled these cases. 'It is worth to note that even now, President Cyril Ramaphosa has opened and appointed a commission to deal with the issues. I think we must allow for the commission to determine from where we are sitting that there hasn't been any deliberate delays in prosecuting or even bringing the cases that relates to apartheid crimes into court,' the minister said.
Zawya
09-03-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
South Africa: President Ramaphosa mourns passing of Dr Gomolemo Mokae
President Cyril Ramaphosa has been saddened by the violent death of renowned medical doctor, author and black consciousness intellectual and activist Dr Gomolemo Mokae. Dr Mokae, 61, was found dead in his Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, home on Wednesday, 5 March 2025, after he had last been seen on February 28. President Ramaphosa offers his deep condolences to the family, friends, neighbours, patients and comrades of Dr Mokae who was a former national spokesperson of the Azanian People's Organisation and a founder member of the Socialist Party of Azania. In addition to his medical practice, Dr Mokae published several books and wrote for television as a proud exponent of his mother tongue, Setswana. President Ramaphosa offers his condolences as well to the family, friends and fellow activists of Gqeberha-based whistleblower and gender activist Ms Pamela Mabini, 46, who was shot outside her home on Friday, 7 March. President Ramaphosa said: 'The brutality inflicted on Dr Mokae and Pam Mabini – and recently, Imam Muhsin Hendricks – demonstrate that violent criminals have no regard for the lives of South Africans, including selfless and caring citizens who become known publicly for the contributions they make to the upliftment and protection of fellow citizens. Dr Mokae, who had spent many years caring for patients in Ga-Rankuwa was experiencing health problems of his own when he was shot in his bed. Pam Mabini stood up for women who experienced gender-based violence and made her mission to ensure the police and our courts brought perpetrators to justice. Their deaths and those of all victims of violence must move communities to work together more closely as citizens and in partnership with the police to prevent violence and to identify perpetrators in instances where attacks result. I call on anyone who has information about any criminal activity – including these current cases – to play your role in making South Africa safer by sharing information with the police or community police forums. All of us look forward to law enforcement agencies playing their role in bringing violent criminals to book.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.
