The ANC in Bhisho wants to reopen all inquests into the killing of anti-apartheid activists, including Steve Biko.
ANC chief whip Zolile Mrara, presenting a motion in the legislature on Wednesday, said reopening the cases was the only way to bring true justice.
In his speech he mentioned Biko, Nomnyamezelo Mxenge, the Cradock four – Matthew Goniwe, Sparrow Mkhonto, Fort Calata and Sicelo Mhlauli – the Pebco three – Sipho Hashe, Champion Galela, and Qaqawuli Godolozi – and the Port Elizabeth-based Cosas Two – Siphiwo Mtimkulu and Topsy Madaka.
Mrara was reacting to last week’s announcement that former Vlaakplaas hit squad commander Eugene de Kock had been released on parole.
In the Eastern Cape, De Kock was granted amnesty by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) for his involvement in the killings of the Cradock Four.
The ANC chief whip said De Kock’s victims could only accept the decision to release him if he took full responsibility by disclosing everything now that he was out on parole.
However, Department of Justice and Constitutional Development spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga said the department believed De Kock did all he could to assist them to get to the bottom of what happened and that it was impossible to reopen the inquest on Biko. “It was communicated a long time ago that culpable homicide lapses, therefore there is nothing that can be done in that case.”
Mhaga said De Kock was released after consultation with affected families and based partly on assistance to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). “De Kock has provided and continues to provide assistance to the NPA, which is part of the reason he was given parole,” he said.
Mrara had a different view and listed at least four cases, including the death of Biko. He said through De Kock’s actions, the province lost countless activists in its townships. “We have observed that it’s only blacks who must forgive and whites are not ready to reconcile hence they are resisting to share their wealth.”
He called on the NPA’s Missing Persons Task Team (MPTT) to prioritise Eastern Cape cases.
The DA said the ANC’s approach would do more harm than good. The party’s provincial leader Athol Trollip has written to legislature speaker Noxolo Kiviet and leader of government business MEC Helen Sauls-August to intervene.
“ … motion dealing with the pardon of political prisoners is also laced with reckless innuendo and personal invective. Not to mention the fact that the motion was clumsily compiled and asks the NPA to contravene its constitutional mandate,” the letter reads.
Contacted for comment, Biko’s son Samora directed questions to the Steve Biko Foundation but it could not be reached at the time of going to print. — siphem@dispatch.co.za / asandan@dispatch.co.za
ANC: Reopen inquests into anti-apartheid activist deaths
ANC chief whip Zolile Mrara, presenting a motion in the legislature on Wednesday, said reopening the cases was the only way to bring true justice.
In his speech he mentioned Biko, Nomnyamezelo Mxenge, the Cradock four – Matthew Goniwe, Sparrow Mkhonto, Fort Calata and Sicelo Mhlauli – the Pebco three – Sipho Hashe, Champion Galela, and Qaqawuli Godolozi – and the Port Elizabeth-based Cosas Two – Siphiwo Mtimkulu and Topsy Madaka.
Mrara was reacting to last week’s announcement that former Vlaakplaas hit squad commander Eugene de Kock had been released on parole.
In the Eastern Cape, De Kock was granted amnesty by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) for his involvement in the killings of the Cradock Four.
The ANC chief whip said De Kock’s victims could only accept the decision to release him if he took full responsibility by disclosing everything now that he was out on parole.
However, Department of Justice and Constitutional Development spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga said the department believed De Kock did all he could to assist them to get to the bottom of what happened and that it was impossible to reopen the inquest on Biko. “It was communicated a long time ago that culpable homicide lapses, therefore there is nothing that can be done in that case.”
Mhaga said De Kock was released after consultation with affected families and based partly on assistance to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). “De Kock has provided and continues to provide assistance to the NPA, which is part of the reason he was given parole,” he said.
Mrara had a different view and listed at least four cases, including the death of Biko. He said through De Kock’s actions, the province lost countless activists in its townships. “We have observed that it’s only blacks who must forgive and whites are not ready to reconcile hence they are resisting to share their wealth.”
He called on the NPA’s Missing Persons Task Team (MPTT) to prioritise Eastern Cape cases.
The DA said the ANC’s approach would do more harm than good. The party’s provincial leader Athol Trollip has written to legislature speaker Noxolo Kiviet and leader of government business MEC Helen Sauls-August to intervene.
“ … motion dealing with the pardon of political prisoners is also laced with reckless innuendo and personal invective. Not to mention the fact that the motion was clumsily compiled and asks the NPA to contravene its constitutional mandate,” the letter reads.
Contacted for comment, Biko’s son Samora directed questions to the Steve Biko Foundation but it could not be reached at the time of going to print. — siphem@dispatch.co.za / asandan@dispatch.co.za
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