Archive · 19 Jun 2025
South Africa Reopens Inquiry Into Apartheid-Era Killings
Imagine some brave people stood up against unfair rules in South Africa a long time ago.
These people were called the Cradock Four.
They were taken and killed by the people in charge.
Now, many years later, a new group of people is trying to find out exactly what happened and who was responsible.
Even though the people who did it are likely gone, their families want to know the truth.
They hope this new investigation will help them find answers and finally feel some justice.
A new inquiry into the 1985 killings of the Cradock Four, anti-apartheid activists, has opened in South Africa.
The Cradock Four were abducted, tortured, and killed by apartheid-era security forces; no one has been held accountable.
Relatives of the victims are pushing for truth and justice, with the inquiry aiming to uncover details of the killings.
Previous inquiries failed to bring the perpetrators to justice, with implicated police officers having died.
The inquiry is part of a larger effort by families of apartheid-era victims to seek accountability from the government.
- Who
- Families of the Cradock Four and other apartheid-era victims.
- What
- A new inquiry into the 1985 killings of the Cradock Four.
- When
- The inquiry opened recently.
- Where
- South Africa.
- Why
- To uncover the truth and seek justice for the killings of the Cradock Four and other apartheid-era crimes.
Victims' Families
Perpetrators (Deceased)
Justice
Victims' Families
Demand for full investigation of the killings.
Perpetrators (Deceased)
Lack of justice due to the death of the people responsible
- Victims
- Cradock Four: Sicelo Mhlauli, Fort Calata, Matthew Goniwe, Sparrow Mkonto
- Year of Killings
- 1985
- Previous Inquests
- Two: one in 1987 and one in 1993
- Perpetrators
- Apartheid-era security forces
- Current Status
- Inquiry ongoing