Cradock Four: Families of the Anti-Apartheid Activists Plan to Sue the State After Last Murder Suspect Dies

• The death of the last surviving men accused of the Cradock Four murders has left a sting on the families
• The families are angry at the National Prosecuting Authority for failing to prosecute the men accused of these atrocities
• Anti-apartheid activist Fort Calata's son Lukhanyo says they are exploring the possibility of suing the state for failing to prosecute

JOHANNESBURG - The families of the Cradock Four are livid with the government and plan to sue following the death of the last surviving suspect.

The families are angry that the state failed to prosecute the men accused of assassinating anti-apartheid activists Fort Calata, Matthew Goniwe, Sicelo Mhlauli and Sparrow Mkonto in 1985.

Families of Cradock Four feel robbed of justice

According to News24, Calata's son, Lukhanyo, says the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) informed the family about the death of Hermanus Barend du Plessis on Friday.

Read also

North West SAPS launch hunt for 2 "dangerous" detainees who escaped police station through roof

Lukhanyo feels that the NPA failed to prosecute individuals involved in the murders of anti-apartheid activists as per the directives of the Truth and Reconciliation (TRC).

He added that they felt like the NPA let the case die by stalling to prosecute apartheid-era criminals, despite the TRC denying to grant the six apartheid police officers involved in the murders.

Even though there is no one left to prosecute, Lukhanyo said the family would find different avenues to hold the state accountable.

"We are now left with no other option but to sue the state for failing to prosecute the murderers of the Cradock Four. If that is how we will have justice, then that is the avenue we must explore," said Lukhanyo.

Cradock Four families felt that time was running out for Justice

Read also

Trio accused of killing Fort Hare employees denied bail, court worried they might eliminate state witnesses

Following the death of FW de Klerk in 2021, Lukhanyo told SowetanLIVE that the families felt like his death signified that time was running out for justice.

At the time, the NPA said it needed more time to investigate the state-sanctioned murders of the Cradock Four.

NPA deputy national director of public prosecutions, Advocate Rodney de Kock, said evidence suggested that the murders of the anti-apartheid activists were discussed at very high levels meetings in the country.

John Kani and Thandiswa Mazwai honour Harry Belafonte’s role in the fight against apartheid

In other news, Briefly News previously reported that South African celebrities John Kani and Thandiswa Mazwai paid tribute to legendary singer and activist Harry Belafonte following his passing on Tuesday.

The two shared their condolences on social media, reflecting on the impact Belafonte had on their lives and the world at large.

Read also

Police arrest Zimbabwean man in connection with Thabo Bester case

Award-winning actor and playwright John Kani wrote on Twitter:

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of this Anti Apartheid activist. He was like an elder brother to many of us South Africans."

Source: Briefly News