Johannesburg – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has announced that it will hold inquests into the deaths of four struggle activists killed during the apartheid regime’s reign of terror.
The NPA said the inquests follow its review of evidence from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) proceedings.
The NPA on Tuesday announced that it will carry out inquests into the deaths of:
Ntombikayise Ntombi Kubheka
Musawenkosi Sbo Phewa
Zamukwenzani Bright Mlobeli/Sokhulu, and
Jameson Ngoloyi Mngomezulu
TRC records show that Ntombikayise Ntombi Khubeka, Musawenkosi Sbho Phewa, and Zamukwenzani Bright Mlobeli/Sokhulu were African National Congress (ANC) activists.
The trio was alleged to be members of the KwaMashu party Cell.
Among its activities, the Cell was responsible for providing shelter and food to members of the ANC military wing – Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) – who had been deployed to carry-out assignments inside the country.
In 1986 the Port Natal Security Branch received intelligence information about the operations of the ANC Cell at KwaMashu.
Consequently, the Security Branch planned infiltration of this ANC Cell and to achieve their objectives, solicited assistance from Vlakplaas for the services of askaris.
Many of these askari were former members of the liberation movements who were turned to work for the apartheid Security Branch, providing information, identifying, tracing and eliminating former comrades.
The askaris from Vlakplaas, having been deployed, successfully infiltrated the KwaMashu ANC Cell.
This infiltration led to the disappearance of several ANC activists including Musawenkosi Sbho Phewa and the kidnapping of Zamukwenzani Bright Mlobeli/Sokhulu and Ntombikayise Ntombi Khubeka.
During the TRC proceedings, several Port Natal Security Branch members applied for amnesty relating to the kidnapping and death of Ntombikayise Ntombi Khubeka.
Some of the applicants were granted amnesty whilst others were not.
The NPA said it was subsequently mandated to look at matters, where amnesty was not granted by the TRC and to decide whether there was a prosecutable case or not.
To assist NPA in arriving at a proper decision, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) was mandated to conduct investigations in such matters.
Parliament approved the establishment of units by both NPA and DPCI to focus on these matters.
“The Director of Public Prosecutions in KwaZulu-Natal, after reading the dockets that were submitted by DPCI: KZN TRC UNIT in these matters, has decided that formal inquests should be held,” the NPA said Tuesday in a communique issued by Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, the authority’s KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson.
“Senior state advocates from the NPA’s TRC Unit will be handling the inquest proceedings which are set down for 24 – 28 October 2022 at Mlazi Magistrates’ Court.”
The Director of Public Prosecutions in KwaZulu-Natal also considered the matter of the death of Jameson Ngoloyi Mngomezulu, who is alleged to have been an ANC activist who was abducted in 1985 from Swaziland by members of the Jozini Security Branch, assisted by askaris from Vlakplaas.
Mngomezulu was taken to Jozini where he was subjected to assault, torture, and other serious forms of physical and mental ill-treatment.
He died in their hands.
Mngomezulu’s lifeless body was then taken to Sodwana Bay, where explosives were used to blow it up.
Some members of the apartheid security branch applied and were granted amnesty in respect of his murder, while others were refused amnesty.
“Following investigations conducted by the DPCI: KZN TRC- UNIT, the DPP has decided that a Formal Inquest be held to deal with the matter,” said the NPA.
“Senior State Advocates from the NPA’s TRC Unit will be handling the inquest proceedings which are set down for 07 – 11 November 2022 at Pongola Magistrates’ Court.”
