Inquest into tragic 1993 killings of five Mthatha schoolchildren approved

The Minister of Justice has approved a joint inquest into the 1993 murder of five schoolchildren by apartheid forces.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on October 8, 1993, Mzwandile Mfeya and Sandiso Yaso, both just twelve years old, along with 16-year-old twins Samora and Sadat Mpendulo, and 17-year-old Thando Mthembu, were brutally murdered at their home in Mthatha.

The victims were preparing for their final examinations at the residence of the Mpendulo family, a domicile belonging to the twins' father, Sigqibo Mpendulo, a member of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC).

The truth behind the violence lies in an alleged hunt for members of the PAC's military wing, the Azanian People’s Liberation Army (APLA), who were believed to be hiding an arms cache at the premises.

Armed soldiers stormed the house, kicking down the door and opening fire, resulting in the tragic loss of young lives.

Infamously, on the same day, the SADF issued a statement claiming responsibility for the attack, which followed a period of severe oppression where members of APLA were subjected to arrest and torture by the South African Police Security Branch.

In a desperate attempt to extract information regarding APLA activities, these heinous actions set the tragic stage for the innocent children's untimely deaths.

The upcoming inquest, set to be heard at the Mthatha High Court, promises to shed light on the sequence of events that led to this atrocity. With a date to be confirmed by the judge president, the State intends to present evidence from a multitude of witnesses, including family members of the deceased.

This inquiry seeks to determine if criminal culpability can be attributed to the actions taken during that fateful day, under the auspices of the Inquest Act.

The NPA and its partners remain steadfast in their commitment to addressing the past atrocities of apartheid. This joint inquest marks a pivotal step towards delivering closure for the families affected by these senseless acts of violence and serves as a reminder of the systemic challenges that have shaped our country’s painful history.

As the quest for justice unfolds in the courtroom, the collective hope of Mthatha and beyond is that the truth will serve as a cornerstone for healing and reconciliation, fostering a society that refuses to forget its past while striving for a more just future.

IOL