Fact Check: New inquiry into Cradock Four killings reveals shocking lack of accountability.

Fact Check: New inquiry into Cradock Four killings reveals shocking lack of accountability

What We Know

The Cradock Four refers to four anti-apartheid activists—Fort Calata, Matthew Goniwe, Sicelo Mhlauli, and Sparrow Mkonto—who were abducted, tortured, and killed by apartheid-era security forces in June 1985. Recently, a new inquiry was opened into their deaths, highlighting the ongoing quest for justice and accountability, as no one has been held responsible for these killings despite previous investigations (AP News, Jamaica Gleaner).

The inquiry is part of a broader movement by the families of victims of apartheid-era violence, who have long sought acknowledgment and accountability for the atrocities committed during this period. The previous inquiries into the Cradock Four's deaths, conducted during apartheid, concluded that the men were killed by unknown assailants, and subsequent investigations by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) identified implicated police officers who were never prosecuted (AP News, Face2Face Africa).

Analysis

The claim regarding the lack of accountability surrounding the Cradock Four killings is substantiated by multiple sources. The recent reopening of the inquiry underscores the persistent frustrations of the victims' families, who have been vocal about the emotional toll of unresolved injustices. According to Oscar van Heerden, a political analyst, the emotional testimonies from relatives during the inquiry reveal that the wounds from these events have not healed, indicating a significant lack of closure and accountability (AP News, Jamaica Gleaner).

Furthermore, the inquiry is being led by a retired judge, aiming to retrace the events leading to the murders and to gather more information from potential witnesses, including former military personnel (Face2Face Africa). Despite this renewed effort, the reality remains grim: all six police officers implicated in the killings have died, and the last one passed away in 2023, effectively closing the door on any potential criminal prosecutions (AP News, Jamaica Gleaner).

The TRC, established in the post-apartheid era, aimed to address the atrocities of the past, yet it failed to bring many perpetrators to justice, with only a small fraction of cases resulting in prosecutions (AP News, Face2Face Africa). This historical context reinforces the claim of a shocking lack of accountability, as the systemic failures of the justice system continue to affect the victims' families.

Conclusion

The claim that a new inquiry into the Cradock Four killings reveals a shocking lack of accountability is True. The ongoing inquiry highlights the unresolved nature of these murders and the broader failures of the South African justice system to hold accountable those responsible for apartheid-era atrocities. The emotional testimonies from the victims' families and the historical context of previous investigations further substantiate this claim.

Sources

1. South Africa opens new inquiry into apartheid-era Cradock Four killings ...
2. New inquiry opened into apartheid-era killings known as Cradock Four ...
3. Third Inquest into Cradock Four Deaths Underway in Eastern Cape Amid ...
4. The Cradock Four - The Truth and Reconciliation Commission
5. Decades after apartheid-era murder, Cradock Four inquiry reopens long ...