Four former police officers from the apartheid era have been formally charged with the 1985 murder of Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) member Jameson Ngoloyi Mngomezulu, marking a significant step towards justice for a long-standing case. Gerhardus Stephanus Schoon (82), Paul Jacobus van Dyk (76), Frederick Johannes Pienaar (77), and Douw Gerbrandt Willemse (63) faced charges of murder and kidnapping in the Pongola Magistrates’ Court last week.
In a poignant moment, only Schoon and Van Dyk appeared in court, while Pienaar presented a medical certificate, and a warrant was issued for Willemse’s arrest as he failed to provide a reason for his absence. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara revealed, “The warrant of arrest for Pienaar was stayed, but the warrant of arrest for Willemse was issued forthwith.”
The historical backdrop of the case was illuminated by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) final report, which outlined the brutal killing of Mngomezulu. The report detailed the abduction and torture of Mngomezulu, highlighting the involvement of apartheid state assassin Eugene de Kock and various operatives. Some of those implicated had unsuccessfully applied for amnesty at the TRC.
Ramkisson-Kara emphasized, “The state is alleging that Schoon and his co-assailants, together with askaris and other members of the South African Police Service, acted collectively in the commission of these offences.” The accused, including Schoon, Van Dyk, and Willemse, held positions within the Security Branch of the SAPS at the time of the offenses.
Imtiaz Cajee, an author, activist, and nephew of anti-apartheid activist Ahmed Timol, expressed his approval of the reopening of apartheid-era cases, noting that justice was long overdue. Cajee urged authorities to lead with integrity, using these cases as a tool to build awareness rather than fostering hatred. He reminded those in power that justice is owed to individuals like Mngomezulu, who made sacrifices for the political freedom enjoyed today.
Justice Minister Ronald Lamola’s recent approval of reopening the inquest into the deaths of the Cradock Four further underscores the commitment to seeking justice for past atrocities. The pursuit of these cases serves as a reminder that accountability knows no age, and justice should prevail regardless of the time that has passed.
