Four decades after the brutal murders of three Congress of South African Students, and the attempted murder of another, the matter will be heard before the Johannesburg High Court on Monday.
Former apartheid security branch police officers Christiaan Rorich and Thlomedi Mfalapitsa are accused of the murder of Eustice Madikela, Peter Matabane, and Fanyana Nhlapo; and the attempted murder of Zandisile Musi. The four were referred to as the ‘COSAS 4’.
Rorich and Mfalapitsa reportedly face charges of murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, and crimes against humanity, among others.
Quest for equality
The search for justice has been decades in the making, after several delays attributed in part to bureaucratic obstacles and financial disputes.
In 2019, law firm Webber Wentzel took over the case on behalf of the families, collaborating with the NPA and the police. However, progress was sluggish, requiring legal action to expedite the trial.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) played a significant role in uncovering the truth behind these events. Perpetrators sought amnesty through the TRC, where they acknowledged their crimes under oath. However, their amnesty bids were rejected.
Shedding light on the horrifying events
Two survivors of the ordeal are set to testify, shedding light on the horrifying events that unfolded. Proceedings will be held over two weeks in front of Judge Maletsatsi Betty Mahalelo.
In other news – PICS: Maps Maponyane and ex-Miss SA Shudu Musida fuel dating rumours
Beautiful Shudu Musida, the former Miss South Africa is rumoured to be dating entrepreneur Maps Maponyane after a “Twitter police” spotted his shoes on the beauty queen’s Instagram story.
The actor and model Maps revealed on his Instagram that he was in Italy a few weeks ago at the same time as the Limpopo-born beauty queen Shudu Musida. Whilst the pair are not “Instagram official”, Twitter detectives have been hard at work to proof that they are in a relationship. Read More