South Africa Reopens Inquest into Apartheid-Era Cradock Four Murders

South Africa has reopened a high court inquest into the 1985 murders of four anti-apartheid activists known as the Cradock Four, nearly 40 years after their deaths. The activists—Matthew Goniwe, Fort Calata, Sicelo Mhlauli, and Sparrow Mkonto—were abducted and killed by apartheid security police, but previous inquiries in 1987 and 1993 failed to hold anyone accountable despite attributing responsibility to security forces. The National Prosecuting Authority recommended the reopening based on new evidence and inconsistencies in earlier investigations, with the Justice Minister emphasizing the importance of justice and closure for the victims' families. The inquest has highlighted that the killings were a premeditated act by the apartheid regime’s state security apparatus, with a former military commander denying involvement in ordering the deaths. Families and survivors have long accused the post-apartheid government of obstructing justice, leading to a 2025 lawsuit against President Ramaphosa and his administration for failures in investigating apartheid crimes. The inquiry underscores the urgency due to the advanced age of remaining persons of interest and the ongoing pursuit of justice by victims' families.