Latest news with #apartheid
Free Malaysia Today
6 hours ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
S. Africa reopens inquiry into deaths of apartheid-era activists
President Cyril Ramaphosa set up a judicial inquiry in April following claims of deliberate delays in prosecuting apartheid-era crimes. (AP pic) JOHANNESBURG : A South African court opened an inquest today into the murders 40 years ago of four anti-apartheid activists by a police hit squad in one of the most notorious atrocities of the apartheid era. No one has been brought to justice for the 1985 killings of the so-called Cradock Four, and their families have accused the post-apartheid government of intervening to block the case from going to trial. Teachers Fort Calata, Matthew Goniwe and Sicelo Mhlauli and railway worker Sparrow Mkonto were abducted and killed while returning home from a political meeting in the southern town of Cradock. 'After 40 years, the families are still waiting for justice and closure,' advocate Howard Varney, representing relatives of the four men, told the court in an opening statement. 'We intend to demonstrate that the deaths of the Cradock Four were brought about by way of a calculated and premeditated decision of the apartheid regime taken at the highest level of the government's state security system,' Varney told the court in the Eastern Cape city of Gqeberha. The truth and reconciliation commission set up to uncover political crimes carried out under apartheid refused amnesty to six men for the Cradock Four killings. This left them open to prosecution but the post-apartheid authorities took no action, Varney said. This may have been in part due to a 'toxic mix of idleness, indifference, incapacity or incompetence' but the families also believed 'political forces intervened to block their cases from proceeding', he said. 'This inquest is probably the very last chance that the families will get to reach a semblance of closure. They deserve nothing less than a full and comprehensive accounting with the past,' the advocate said. It is the third inquest into the Cradock Four murders, which came at the height of the white-minority government's repression of anti-apartheid activists. Claims of deliberate delays in prosecuting apartheid-era crimes led president Cyril Ramaphosa to set up a judicial inquiry in April. In January, 25 families of victims and survivors of apartheid-era crimes, including the Cradock Four, announced they were suing the government over a 'gross failure' to investigate and prosecute perpetrators.
Mail & Guardian
8 hours ago
- General
- Mail & Guardian
Why South Africans must stand with Palestine and why the world must act
Solidarity with Palestine at the World Cup in 2022. The world must stand against apartheid in all its forms, including against Palestinians. Photo: Supplied The recent stances taken by the United Kingdom, Canada and France, albeit belatedly, regarding Israel's actions in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories should be welcomed as an overdue, yet necessary, shift in global diplomatic discourse. These declarations represent a small, yet meaningful, turning point in the international community's reaction to what prominent human rights organisations have long labelled as an apartheid system. For South Africans, this matter transcends politics, touching on profound moral and historical dimensions. Having suffered under the harsh legacy of apartheid, South Africans are in a unique position to empathise with the Palestinian people's oppression and to express their support. The global community cannot continue to overlook the suffering of Palestinians living under occupation. Apartheid, regardless of where it occurs, is a crime against humanity. In this undertaking, I would like to examine the historical similarities between apartheid-era South Africa and contemporary Palestine, highlighting the significance of South African solidarity and suggesting possible solutions to the conflict. But it is important to first unpack the apartheid historical context of both South Africa and Palestine to shed more light on why these two countries should stand by each other and have strong diplomatic relations. Historical Parallels: Apartheid South Africa and Occupied Palestine To begin with, the term 'apartheid' should not be taken lightly. It carries profound historical, legal and emotional weight. In international law, apartheid is defined by the 1973 International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid as inhumane acts committed for the purpose of establishing and maintaining domination by one racial group over another. South Africans lived through such a regime, where race determined every aspect of one's life: where you could live, work, go to school and whom you could marry. This system was enforced through draconian laws, forced removals, passbooks and a militarised state apparatus. Similarly, Palestinians today live under the regime of segregation and control. In the West Bank, there exists a dual legal framework implemented by the Israeli government: one system applies to Israeli settlers, while a different one governs Palestinians. Israeli settlers are governed by civil law and benefit from well-supported infrastructure, whereas Palestinians are governed by military law, encounter movement limitations and live under the constant threat of demolition or eviction. Meanwhile, Gaza has been subjected to a stifling blockade for over 15 years, effectively transforming the area into what numerous human rights organisations have termed an open-air prison. In 2022, both Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch published reports asserting that Israeli actions in the occupied territories amount to apartheid. These concerns extend beyond mere territorial disputes or security concerns as they involve systemic control and entrenched discrimination. As South Africans, we recognise this language. We have witnessed the strategies of divide and conquer; collective punishment; suppression of political voices and the use of security narratives to legitimise oppression. These are the very tactics once employed by the apartheid regime in Pretoria. South Africa's moral responsibility and legacy of solidarity South Africa bears a distinct moral responsibility to denounce apartheid in all its manifestations, wherever they might occur. During our own fight for freedom, the support of the international community was crucial. Nations, organisations, religious institutions and individuals worldwide backed the movement for boycotts, divestments and sanctions against the apartheid government. The global indignation and moral conviction contributed significantly to our democratic transition in 1994. Palestinians have consistently looked to the South African experience as a source of hope. The ANC, the South African Council of Churches and figures such as the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, have long been vocal in their support for Palestinian rights. South Africa's foreign policy after apartheid has frequently been guided by this ethical framework. At the United Nations, South Africa has regularly supported Palestinian self-determination through its votes. In South Africa, civil society remains engaged, with groups like the South African Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions Coalition advocating for peaceful opposition to Israeli policies until international law is respected. While the situations are not identical, the similarities are significant enough to warrant action. As South Africans, we must amplify the voices advocating for justice. Remaining silent or neutral in the face of such suffering betrays our own history and principles. The role of the international community: A call for moral consistency The tepid response of many Western powers to the crisis in Palestine has long been a source of frustration for the Global South. While nations are quick to condemn violations of international law in one context, there has been a notable reluctance to hold Israel accountable for its actions. This double standard undermines the credibility of international institutions and erodes the foundations of a rules-based international order. That is why the recent shift in rhetoric by countries such as the UK, France and Canada is important. It signals a growing recognition that the international community can no longer turn a blind eye. Words must now translate into action: through arms embargoes, economic sanctions and diplomatic pressure — tools that were effectively used against the South African government in the 1980s. I am also of the view that the International Criminal Court must also be allowed to do its work without political interference. War crimes, the use of collective punishment and the illegal annexation of land must be investigated and prosecuted, where evidence warrants it. These are not radical demands, they are the minimum requirements of international law. Toward a just and inclusive solution The path to peace must be based on justice, equality and dignity for all. Any solution that does not recognise the full rights of the Palestinian people — whether in the form of a viable two-state solution or a democratic, binational state — will not endure. The goal must be an end to occupation, equal rights for all people between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea and a just resolution for Palestinian refugees. One potential model is a federated or confederal solution, in which Israelis and Palestinians share sovereignty over the land while maintaining distinct national identities. This would require mutual recognition, compromise and international guarantees — but it is not impossible. The South African experience teaches us that even the most entrenched systems of oppression can be dismantled when there is moral courage, principled leadership and sustained public pressure. Crucially, such a solution must be inclusive. It must ensure that both Palestinians and Israelis live in safety and dignity, free from fear, occupation and discrimination. The struggle is not against Jews or Israelis, it is against policies that deny rights and perpetuate suffering. Justice must be indivisible. History will judge us by where we stood in moments of great moral crisis. As South Africans, we have the benefit of hindsight and the burden of memory. We know what it means to be dehumanised, displaced and silenced. We also know the power of international solidarity and the possibility of reconciliation after conflict. Most importantly, the world must act to end apartheid in all its forms, including in Palestine. We must call for accountability, support peaceful resistance and work toward a just and lasting solution that respects the humanity of all. Anything less is a betrayal of the very principles upon which our own freedom was built. Sifiso Sonjica is an ANC member in Ward 13 Mtubabtuba, KwaZulu-Natal. He writes in his personal capacity.
The Guardian
12 hours ago
- General
- The Guardian
I told the truth about the West Bank and was threatened and assaulted. Now I'm relying on you to act
Each of the 22 illegal settlements approved by Israel last week is another nail in the coffin of the peace process, hammered in by the complicity of western governments and corporations. Israeli settlements are not benign civilian neighbourhoods – they are primary instruments of dispossession, control and apartheid. Settlements are closed militarised zones on Palestinians' stolen land, cutting off our access to our resources, our farms, our schools, our jobs and each other. Palestinian lands rapidly shrink, our livelihoods are devastated, our rights are systematically violated and our identity is undermined. Western lawmakers look on, expressing commitment to peace through a two-state solution but choosing to do nothing to achieve this goal. Instead, their policies and inaction enable yet further settlement activity. In the West Bank we live in an obvious two-tier system, yet most lawmakers continue to shun the word 'apartheid' despite Palestinian, Israeli and international human rights organisations concurring on its accuracy and the international court of justice (ICJ) reaffirming it last July. The Settlers, the BBC documentary by Louis Theroux, helped expose this reality, showing me being prevented from even walking on the same streets as Israelis in the neighbourhood of Hebron, where I was born. In response to the documentary, Israeli settlers and soldiers broke into my yard, vandalised it and assaulted me. Soldiers made no arrests but instead threatened to arrest me if I filed a complaint. Then one morning at 4am, young settlers made a bonfire on private Palestinian land outside my home and chanted that they hoped to see me killed. One individual showed up right in front of my house in army fatigues and with a semi-automatic rifle to intimidate me. Settlers then stole my pan-African flag, given to me by Black Lives Matter, and burned it among a pile of Palestinian flags. It is the same story in nearby Masafer Yatta, featured not only in The Settlers but also in the Oscar-winning film No Other Land. Directors Basel Adra and Yuval Abraham called for interventions last week to help stop its destruction, and co-director Hamdan Ballal was detained and beaten in reprisal for its production. The ICJ found Israel responsible for the crime of apartheid, yet western leaders bite their tongues. It found that not only Israel's settlements but also its whole occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip are unlawful, and that the international community is obliged to help dismantle the settlements, evacuate the settlers and end the occupation as quickly as possible. Why are western leaders inert? It seems that western governments would rather undermine the international justice system than hold Israel to account. Even when there are some stronger criticisms of Israel, it continues with its war crimes, as Nesrine Malik wrote last week, regardless. Governments must urgently, as required by the ICJ, take steps to halt trade relations which help sustain the illegal occupation, starting with a ban on all trade with and investment in settlement businesses. Not only individual settlers but also the senior officials responsible for illegal settlements and apartheid must be sanctioned and brought to justice for these war crimes. Not just some but all arms transfers to Israel must be halted. And you, dear reader of conscience, must not only read and watch what is happening but also use your voice and take action. We are relying on you to keep highlighting Gaza and the West Bank, and to hold your parliamentarians, governments and corporations to account. Change your bank or pension fund if it invests in companies involved in the illegal settlements or supplying genocidal and apartheid Israel with arms. Without concrete actions now, we will be erased across the West Bank as well as in Gaza. Forty thousand Palestinian refugees have been expelled from their West Bank homes since January. Twenty Palestinian communities have been expelled from their West Bank lands after attacks from settlers and the occupying army employing bulldozers. Last week the last remaining 30 families of Maghayir al-Deir, near Ramallah, were forced to flee after months of escalating state-backed settler violence. Despite these extraordinarily dark times, I write this with a great sense of hope in my heart inspired by the many people of conscience in the world who stand with us. This is a test for global leadership. Not just of policy, but of principle. We Palestinians need protection and justice now, before it is too late. Issa Amro is a Palestinian human rights defender and co-founder of Youth Against Settlements Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.
News24
a day ago
- Business
- News24
Prasa overcharged by 2 000%; Cradock Four inquest: Today's top 7 stories in 7 minutes
News24 brings you the top stories of the day, summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature. ANC Eastern Cape/Facebook Cradock Four inquest: Brutal murders were 'calculated and premeditated', court told A new inquest has begun into the 1985 murders of the Cradock Four, anti-apartheid activists killed by apartheid security forces. Previous inquests identified security forces as responsible, but no prosecutions occurred, prompting the families to continue seeking justice. The current inquest will include site visits and aims to uncover the full truth and provide closure for the families and community. Rosetta Msimango/News24 DERAILED | Price-gouging frenzy: Entities overcharge Prasa by 2 000%, deliver faulty work A forensic report accuses Prasa's contractors of overcharging by as much as 2 000% for repairing trains that are now discarded, with investigators recommending fraud charges. The report details instances of price-gouging, ghost billing, substandard work, and inflated invoices by several contractors, resulting in Prasa paying millions for unusable or poorly repaired locomotives and coaches. Despite spending R2.5 billion on the project, Prasa is not using the repaired trains, leading to recommendations that the expenditure be declared irregular, fruitless, and wasteful. Ashraf Hendricks/GroundUp Ex-Moti Group employee - now in witness protection - blocks arrest bid to force him out of hiding Former Moti Group legal advisor Clinton van Niekerk, who leaked documents to amaBhungane, successfully obtained an interdict to avoid being forced out of witness protection to face charges from the company. Van Niekerk's legal team argued that bringing him into the open would endanger his life, requesting he appear in court via video link and stressing his status as a potential witness in a criminal investigation against the Moti Group. The court granted the interdict, with Van Niekerk's attorney stating it sends a message to whistleblowers that courts can protect them and preserve their rights. Lisalee Solomons/News24 Meet the viral matric pupil selling R2 sweets at a taxi rank to pay for his matric ball Rudolph Lekay, a matric pupil from Mitchells Plain, sells sweets and chips at the taxi rank to fund his matric ball expenses, as his mother is a pensioner and cannot afford it. Inspired by elderly ladies selling vetkoek, he started his venture with R150 Christmas money and aims to reach R10 000 by September, earning up to R600 a day. His story went viral, and despite challenges like gang violence and needing to help his mother financially, he remains determined, with plans to study business at university next year. Maya on Money | Retiree expected R2m but was paid out just R240 000 Many people experience retirement shortfalls because they assume their existing policies will be adequate without regular reviews. Leon's Sanlam investment policy matured with a payout far below expectations due to lower-than-projected premium escalations and investment returns. Investors should stay informed about their investments and advisors have a responsibility to provide updates, but legal recourse may be limited due to prescription and pre-FAIS Act policies. Grant Pitcher/) Heinrich Klaasen calls time on international career: 'It's a sad day for me' Heinrich Klaasen has announced his immediate retirement from international cricket, stepping away from white-ball formats after retiring from Test cricket in 2024. Klaasen, who debuted for the Proteas in 2018, established himself as a destructive middle-order batsman in ODIs and T20Is, known for his power-hitting and dominance against spin. Cricket South Africa acknowledged Klaasen's impact and contribution to South African cricket, wishing him success in his future endeavors.
The Guardian
a day ago
- General
- The Guardian
Inquest into notorious apartheid-era killings opens in South Africa
An inquest into one of the most notorious killings of South Africa's apartheid era opened on Monday with a former general denying that he ordered the deaths of four men who became known as the Cradock Four. Fort Calata, Matthew Goniwe, Sicelo Mhlauli and Sparrow Mkonto were stopped at a roadblock on 27 June 1985 by security officers and beaten, strangled with telephone wire, stabbed and shot to death. Inquests into the killings of the four activists were held in 1987 and 1993, before South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994. In 1999, the country's Truth and Reconciliation Commission refused six security officers amnesty for their role in the killings. They were never prosecuted and have all since died. Howard Varney, a lawyer for relatives of the Cradock Four, said in his opening statement to the inquest, at the high court in the city of Gqeberha: 'These were four young men who had so much to offer South Africa. The searing pain of their absence persists with the families to this day.' At one of the previous inquests, it was revealed that Joffel van der Westhuizen, the former military commander of what was then the Eastern Province, sent a message to the apartheid regime's state security council requesting permission to 'remove permanently from society as a matter of urgency' the 'agitators'. Another general who received the message argued that this meant detaining the men, not killing them. In an opening statement, Van der Westhuizen's lawyer said 'he denies ever authorising or ordering the killing of the deceased'. The lawyer said the former general was 'not in a very healthy condition' and had so far not been able to get the South African military to pay his legal costs. The lawyer argued that witnesses, who include nine family members of the Cradock Four, could not give evidence that implicated Van der Westhuizen unless he had funded legal representation. Judge Thami Beshe ruled that in the first part of the inquest, which will last until 12 June, witnesses could refer to Van der Westhuizen and three former police officers who are also still alive, as long as they only used information in the public domain. Calata's son, Lukhanyo Calata, said: 'Today is emotional. Good emotion. We've waited so many years to finally get to this point, where a court in democratic South Africa finally gets to hear the Cradock Four case.' Lukhanyo, who is a journalist, noted that some Afrikaners, the white minority that ruled South Africa during apartheid and the same ethnicity as his father's killers, were promoting the false claim that there was a 'genocide' against them, a claim amplified by US president Donald Trump. He added: 'What we are hoping for now is to correct the historic record.' Nombuyiselo Mhlauli, the 73-year-old widow of Sicelo, said: 'We are just hoping that we will reach that stage where we process our grief. Because, since all these years, we are living in our grief.' The relatives of the Cradock Four are among 25 families who in January sued the government for not prosecuting apartheid-era killers. In April, the country's president Cyril Ramaphosa set up an inquiry into whether past democratic governments interfered with investigations and prosecutions. However, the families have criticised the inquiry, as it only has fact-finding powers and cannot award damages. The inquest continues on Tuesday with a visit to the home of Goniwe in the town of Cradock, now called Nxuba, and the site between there and Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth, where the men were abducted.
