Inquest into 1993 Highgate Hotel massacre adjourned until March 24

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says it is pleased with progress made in the past two weeks in the inquest into the 1993 Highgate Hotel massacre. 

The inquest is one of the matters referred to the NPA by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). It started on January 27 and continued until Friday. It was adjourned until March 24 to 27. 

“Twelve witnesses have already given their testimonies before judge Denzil Potgieter at the Special Tribunal in East London. The witnesses include the investigating officer from the Hawks, survivors, families of the deceased, ballistic experts and private investigators hired by the families of those affected,” NPA spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said.

The inquest also conducted an inspection in loco at the scene of the incident.

Eastern Cape director of public prosecutions Barry Madolo took a decision to hold an inquest to determine if anyone can be held criminally liable for the attack.  

“On the night, in the period leading up to the 1994 elections, armed individuals opened fire at the Highgate Hotel bar in East London. During the attack five people were killed and seven were severely wounded with permanent injuries and disabilities,” he said. 

The deceased were Stanley Hacking, Douglas William Gates, Royce Michael Wheeler, Deon Wayne Harris and Deric John Whitfield. 

Three survivors and two family members of the victims gave their testimonies at the TRC hearings. However, no amnesty applications were made by suspected perpetrators.  

It was initially believed the erstwhile armed wing of the PAC was responsible for the attack, but subsequent investigations did not confirm this.  

“The NPA also notes with concern allegations made by some of the witnesses against some of its officials. These allegations will be dealt with during the inquest to make sure their names and that of the organisation are cleared,” Tyali said. 

Last month, two survivors of the massacre, Neville Beling and Karl Weber, and other families and survivors of apartheid-era crimes brought an application in the Pretoria high court against President Cyril Ramaphosa and the government, seeking constitutional damages for the government’s failure to adequately investigate and prosecute apartheid-era political crimes after the TRC process.

Others in the application include the family members of the “Cradock Four”, Richard and Irene Motasi, Caiphus Nyoka, the “Pebco Three”, the “Cosas Four”, Nokuthula Simelane, Rick Turner, Musawakhe “Sbho” Phewa, Hoosen Haffejee, Mxolisi “Dicky” Jacobs, Imam Abdullah Haron, Deon Harris, Matthews “Mojo” Mabelane, Ntombikayise Priscilla Kubheka, Ignatius “Iggy” Mthebule and Nicholas Ramatua “Boiki” Tlhapi.

Tyali said the NPA hoped the inquisitorial exercise of the inquest will assist in providing much-needed closure to the families of the victims, the survivors and the public. 

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