Long journey to eventual justice

Four murder-accused in apartheid-related case indicted almost 40 years after the fact

THE wheels of justice turn slowly, but turn they do.

This was evident earlier this week when four men accused of apartheid-era crimes were indicted at the Pongola Magistrate's Court.

Warrants of arrest were issued for Gerhardus Stephanus Schoon (82), Paul Jacobus van Dyk (76), Frederick Johannes Pienaar (77) and Douw Gerbrandt Willemse (63) in connection with the kidnapping, torture and murder of Jameson Ngoloyi Mngomezulu (71) in June 1985.

KZN NPA spokesperson Natasha RamkissonKara said Mngomezulu was a political activist and Umkhonto we Sizwe cadre, who faced relentless harassment by security forces.

"Mngomezulu, a South African citizen, resided in the Oshabeni area in Ingwavuma and the Elubulwini area in Swaziland. Due to his political activism, he was harassed by members of the security forces who would continuously raid his places of residence. Sometime in June 1985, during one of these raids, he was captured from his Swaziland residence, tortured, and forcibly brought back to South Africa," said RamkissonKara.

"He was held captive, assaulted, tortured, and eventually killed. His body was dismembered using explosives at Sodwana Bay."

Ramkisson-Kara said the State alleges that Schoon, together with his co-assailants, acted collectively with Askaris and other members of the SAPS in committing these crimes.

She added that Schoon at the time served as commander of the Jozini Security Branch, while Van Dyk and Willemse were SAPS Security Branch members based in Vlakplaas, and Pienaar was based in Piet Retief.

"During the recent court proceedings, the indictment was served on the legal representatives for Schoon and Van Dyk.

Pienaar's absence was explained through a medical certificate, but no reason was provided for Willemse's nonappearance.

Warrants of arrest were authorised, with Pienaar's being stayed and Willemse's issued forthwith.

"The court postponed the matter to 18 April, aiming to resolve issues related to legal representation," said Ramkisson-Kara.