Former Apartheid Assassin Eugene de Kock Hospitalised Amid Cradock Four Inquest

Former apartheid death squad leader Eugene de Kock has reportedly been hospitalised for possible heart failure, interrupting the latest chapter in one of South Africa’s most painful historical reckonings.

De Kock’s condition was confirmed in the Gqeberha High Court on Tuesday during the second day of the Cradock Four inquest. His legal team told presiding Judge Thami Beshe that the 76-year-old’s health took a sharp turn for the worse on Friday, prompting his admission to a medical facility.

The Cradock Four Inquest

The current inquest aims to establish whether apartheid-era police or any individuals can be held accountable for the 1985 murders of anti-apartheid activists Matthew Goniwe, Fort Calata, Sparrow Mkhonto and Sicelo Mhlauli collectively known as the Cradock Four.

The activists were abducted, tortured, and killed by members of the apartheid security branch. Their brutal murders became a defining moment in South Africa’s liberation struggle, exposing the extent of state-sanctioned violence against political opponents.

Who Is Eugene De Kock?

Eugene de Kock, once the commander of the notorious Vlakplaas death squad, became infamous for his role in orchestrating assassinations and covert operations against anti-apartheid activists. Nicknamed “Prime Evil,” he was convicted in 1996 on multiple counts of murder and crimes against humanity, serving more than two decades in prison before his release on parole in 2015.

Since his release, De Kock has lived a largely private life, occasionally surfacing in legal and historical proceedings related to apartheid-era crimes.

Public Reaction And Reflections

News of De Kock’s hospitalisation has sparked mixed reactions online. Some South Africans expressed indifference, saying that the former apartheid assassin’s fate is “long overdue karma,” while others noted that his testimony remains crucial in uncovering the full truth behind unsolved political murders.

Human rights activists have emphasised the importance of De Kock’s cooperation in helping families of apartheid victims find closure, particularly as many perpetrators of political violence have never faced justice.

A Lingering Wound In South Africa’s Story

De Kock’s health crisis adds another layer of complexity to an inquest that represents South Africa’s ongoing effort to confront its violent past. For the families of the Cradock Four, the pursuit of truth and accountability continues even as time, and history’s key witnesses, begin to fade.

The court is expected to proceed in his absence, though his condition may affect further testimony and cross-examination.

{Source:EWN}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com