The African National Congress (ANC) in the Eastern Cape welcomes the decision by Minister of Justice and Correctional Services to act on the recommendation of the National Prosecuting Authority to approach the Judge President, Eastern Cape Division, Gqeberha, in terms of section 17A (1) of the Inquests Act 58 of 1959, to appoint a judge to reopen and direct the reopened inquest into the deaths of Comrade Mathew Goniwe , Comrade Sparrow Mkonto , Comrade Fort Calata, and Comrade Sicelo Mhlauli known as the Cradock Four.
We strongly believe that the successful prosecution of apartheid era atrocities will send a clear message that there will be no impunity for apartheid crimes and remain firm that there must be full disclosure of the truth and circumstances surrounding Cradock Four’s assassination.
We support the statement by Minister Lamola, when he said: “It is of paramount importance to society that justice is not seen as a mythical concept, but it must be seen to be done. Conceivably, this principle becomes more pronounced where the families of apartheid era victims are concerned. As the Ministry, we will be looking into TRC Cases which fall under this category, to ensure that justice fully manifests itself “.
This statement by Minister of Justice gives hope to all the families of the victims of apartheid ruthless and heartless machinery which brutally killed the Cradock Four and many political activists that justice will finally be served and all those ruthless killers including their political masters pay the heavy price for their deeds.
We reaffirm the ANC NEC stance that our government must expedite the ratification of The International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid (1973) that declared Apartheid as a Crime Against Humanity, as resolved at the NEC Lekgotla in October 2020. The ratification of the Convention will allow for prosecution of these outstanding apartheid-era crimes against humanity under national as well as international laws to ensure justice is done.
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ISSUED BY THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS-EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE
Enquiries:
Cde Gift Ngqondi
Provincial Head of Communications
Mobile No :?0849519924 /?0848439706
