Apartheid-Era Police Officers Face Historic Charges in South Africa

The trial of two former apartheid police officers, Christian Siebert Rorich and Tlhomedi Ephraim Mfalapitsa, has been postponed until June 6, 2023, in the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg. The officers face charges of kidnapping, murder, and crimes against humanity committed during the apartheid era in South Africa.

Why this matters: This trial marks a significant step towards accountability for the atrocities committed during apartheid, and its outcome may set a precedent for future cases involving human rights abuses. It also serves as a reminder of the ongoing pursuit of justice and reconciliation in South Africa, highlighting the importance of addressing the country's troubled past.

The charges stem from the 1982 bomb blast that killed three Congress of South African Students (COSAS) supporters and injured one. The victims were Eustice 'Bimbo' Madikela, Ntshingo Mataboge, and Fanyana Nhlapo, who died in the explosion at a pump house near Krugersdorp in February 1982. Zandisile Musi, a fourth student, survived the attack.

The case has been delayed multiple times, with the families of the victims waiting for decades for justice. The latest postponement is due to two review applications from the defense. Mfalapitsa has applied to review the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)'s decision refusing amnesty to those implicated in the matter. Rorich is challenging the historic charges of crimes against humanity, murder, and apartheid, arguing that these charges have now lapsed.

Apartheid, a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination, was declared a crime against humanity by the United Nations General Assembly in 1966 and formally criminalized under the 1973 Apartheid Convention. The trial of Rorich and Mfalapitsa is significant as it deals with crimes committed during this dark period in South Africa's history.

Zaid Kimmie, the Executive Director of the Foundation for Human Rights, expressed confidence in the case against the accused, stating: "I don't think the facts of the matter are in dispute. People have, in fact, owned up to their part in the murders. What they will try and claim is that they weren't directly responsible or (that) they were acting under orders. But you know that that's something for the trial court to deal with – the fact that these four activists were lured to this pump station, and that a bomb was exploded with the intent to kill them and who planted the bomb and who set it off – those things are not in dispute."

The trial of Christian Siebert Rorich and Tlhomedi Ephraim Mfalapitsa marks a significant step in addressing the atrocities committed during apartheid. As the case unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of South Africa's troubled past and the ongoing pursuit of justice for the victims and their families.

Key Takeaways

• Two former apartheid police officers face charges of kidnapping, murder, and crimes against humanity.
• The trial is postponed until June 6, 2023, due to review applications from the defense.
• The charges stem from a 1982 bomb blast that killed three COSAS supporters and injured one.
• The case marks a significant step towards accountability for apartheid-era atrocities.
• The outcome may set a precedent for future human rights abuse cases in South Africa.