Cradock Four: South Africa Reopens Apartheid Killings Inquiry
- GQEBERHA, South Africa — A judge-led inquiry has begun into the 1985 killings of the Cradock Four, anti-apartheid activists whose deaths became a symbol of injustice.
- Nombuyiselo Mhlauli, widow of Sicelo Mhlauli, testified about the condition of her husband's body, wich was returned wiht multiple stab wounds and a missing hand.
- Thumani Calata, daughter of Fort Calata, expressed her grief at never knowing her father, a teacher.
South africa reopens the inquiry into the Apartheid-era Cradock Four killings, a fresh look at a dark chapter. Families of the anti-apartheid activists, murdered in 1985, seek truth and accountability after decades of unanswered questions. this new inquiry aims to uncover the full role of those responsible, wiht the hope that former officials will testify. The inquiry is set to retrace the events of the abduction and the discovery of the bodies, pushing for justice. The Cradock four case highlights the lasting impact of apartheid and the critical need for justice to heal and reconcile the past. News Directory 3 provides complete coverage of this and other stories from around the world. Discover what’s next for this critical inquiry and the pursuit of truth.
New Inquiry Opens Into Apartheid-Era Killings in South Africa
updated June 19, 2025
GQEBERHA, South Africa — A judge-led inquiry has begun into the 1985 killings of the Cradock Four, anti-apartheid activists whose deaths became a symbol of injustice. The inquiry represents a renewed effort to uncover the truth about atrocities committed during South Africa’s apartheid era.
Nombuyiselo Mhlauli, widow of Sicelo Mhlauli, testified about the condition of her husband’s body, wich was returned wiht multiple stab wounds and a missing hand. Sicelo Mhlauli was one of four Black men abducted, tortured, and killed by apartheid security forces 40 years ago.
Thumani Calata, daughter of Fort Calata, expressed her grief at never knowing her father, a teacher. She was born shortly after the funerals that galvanized resistance to apartheid.
Previous inquiries in 1987 and 1993 failed to identify the perpetrators. Although the Truth and Reconciliation Commission identified six police officers, they were never prosecuted and have since died. The families of the Cradock Four are now pushing for official records to reflect the truth about the murders and the role of those responsible.
Political analyst Oscar van Heerden, of the University of Johannesburg, noted the inquiry highlights the unhealed wounds of the past. He said justice has not prevailed in many cases where truth and sufficient evidence were lacking.
Frustrated by the lack of progress, families of the Cradock Four successfully pushed for a new inquiry. They also joined othre families of apartheid-era victims in a lawsuit against the government, alleging deliberate obstruction of investigations. This legal action led President Cyril Ramaphosa to order a national inquiry into why apartheid-era killers were not brought to justice, a move that could expose further uncomfortable truths for South Africa and the critical need for justice.
The reopened inquest into the 1967 death of Albert Luthuli, president of the African National Congress, is another example of the ongoing pursuit of truth. The new inquiry into the Cradock Four killings aims to retrace the events, from abduction to the finding of the bodies. Families hope former military commanders and police officers with knowledge of the events will testify, shedding light on the crucial details of the case.
“Justice now can really only come in the form of truth,” Lukhanyo Calata, son of Fort Calata, told The Associated Press. “They may not have been prosecuted, they may not have been convicted, but according to court records, this is the truth around the murders of the Cradock Four.”
What’s next
The Cradock Four inquiry is expected to resume in October. The outcome could influence future efforts to address past injustices and promote reconciliation in South Africa.