This reopened inquest has just closed its first session, after seven or eight days of testimony. It will return to the Gqeberha High Court in September.
Three issues seemed to be the most important for this inquest to resolve:
- Has the beginning of this reopened inquest taken us further into understanding who else in the security forces of the time was in one way or another responsible for these murders?
I’m afraid the answer is “no”. Much was made of the “signal” in the military that called for the “permanent removal” of the two Goniwes and Calata. We know that the killings were conducted by nine named security policemen, all now deceased. But nothing was presented that can link the “signal” in the army to the killers in the police. No progress here.
- Did any submissions help us to understand who caused the nearly 30-year delay in prosecution from the time of the admissions of guilt from these security policemen in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to the reopened inquest, and why no prosecutions have ever happened?
Again, I’m afraid nothing new was presented.
- Did the inquest in any way address the entirely inadequate “compensation” paid to the four widows, and suggest a way for the families involved somehow to avoid the insult and indignity of having to approach the civil courts in this regard?
Again, no.
This inquest was graced with about 20 lawyers, all presumably paid by the State. Their weekly costs must add up to more than the total compensation paid to the widows. Surely a more determined attempt can and should be made to reach conclusions on the above matters, given the fabulous costs associated with such a bevy of lawyers?