GOOD Party Supports Efforts to Prosecute Those Accused of Apartheid-Era Crimes
Cape Town – The GOOD party has expressed its support for the long-awaited progress in the pursuit of accountability for apartheid-era criminals.
“The reopening of two significant inquests, along with the High Court’s ruling that former police officers must face prosecution for crimes against humanity, are vital steps towards combating criminal impunity and upholding the Constitutional principle of equality before the law,” stated GOOD party Secretary-General Brett Herron on Monday, (14 April 2025).
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Apartheid was designated a crime against humanity in 1973 following the adoption of the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid.
“The State’s failure to bring charges for over 20 years against perpetrators who did not seek amnesty from the TRC was deeply immoral, unlawful, and disrespects the families of the victims,” Herron remarked.
“This negligence has significantly fostered a culture of impunity and emboldened apartheid apologists – like those who have recently visited Washington and Tel Aviv – to believe their actions were justified all along.
“These recent developments arrive 22 years after the TRC advised the government to address alleged perpetrators of grievous acts who did not receive amnesty through a ‘bold prosecution policy’.
“Such a policy would prevent the creation of a culture where crime goes unpunished while ensuring South Africa meets its international law obligations, as the TRC suggested.”
However, former national prosecutions head, Vusi Pikoli, dismissed in 2007, testified under oath in 2015 that among the reasons for his termination was his determination to further investigate TRC cases.
The catalyst, he indicated, was the state’s management of the attempted murder case, through poisoning, of former anti-apartheid leader Frank Chikane.
While former Police Minister Adriaan Vlok and Police Commissioner Johann van der Merwe pleaded guilty in exchange for suspended sentences, Pikoli emphasized he would have pursued a full prosecution due to the limited disclosures made by the accused.
“There was significant political resistance to this prosecution and the pursuit of other political cases,” Pikoli revealed.
“It was apparent to me that the government, particularly the then-Minister of Justice, was unwilling to prosecute those involved in the Chikane case.
“This hesitation stemmed from their fear of initiating prosecutions against ANC members, including governmental officials.”
Herron indicated that ten years after Pikoli submitted his affidavit, in a case brought by Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane regarding the murder of her sister, Nokuthula, at the hands of apartheid police, former President Thabo Mbeki and his then-Justice Minister Mabandla stated this year that they would oppose a damages claim made against the State by the families of apartheid-era victims.
“Interestingly, the current President and Justice Minister have signaled they will not oppose,” Herron noted.
“For South Africa to effectively lower crime rates, criminals must understand there is a high chance of being caught and held accountable, necessitating that politicians and prosecutors adhere to their respective roles.”
A reopened inquest into the 1967 death of former ANC President and Nobel Peace Laureate Albert Luthuli began in the High Court in Pietermaritzburg on Monday (14 April 2025).
A second reopened inquest into the murder of activist and lawyer Griffiths in 1981 was postponed in the same court until June.
Meanwhile, in Johannesburg, the High Court ruled that the State should proceed with charges of crimes against humanity against two apartheid-era police officers, Christiaan Rorich and Tlhomedi Mfalapitsa.
They are accused of murdering teenagers Eustice Madikela, Peter Matabane, Fanyana Nhlapo, and severely injuring Zandisile Musi in 1982.
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