Gqeberha – The reopened inquest into the deaths of the Cradock Four will be heard today, Monday, 2 June 2025, in the Gqeberha High Court, Eastern Cape.
Matthew Goniwe, Fort Calata, Sparrow Mkhonto, and Sicelo Mhlawuli, collectively known as the Cradock Four, a group of United Democratic Front members, were abducted and killed by apartheid security police.
The group met their fate on their way back to Cradock from Port Elizabeth on 27 June 1985.
They were arrested at a roadblock set by the Security Branch, assaulted, and murdered.
In 1987, a first inquest concluded that the Cradock Four had been killed by “unknown persons”.
However, the disputed inquest has been reopened and will be held before Judge Thami Beshe..
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The initial sitting is expected to focus on placing on record the parties and legal representatives involved in the matter.
The judge will also provide direction on the issue of conducting an inspection in loco at the original crime scenes.
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development said the reopened inquest forms part of ongoing efforts to address unresolved cases from the apartheid era and to advance justice and closure for affected families and communities.
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi was likely to attend the proceedings today.
