Twice spared: Mamelodi survivor confronts Joseph ‘Joe’ Mamasela in court

According to The Citizen, veteran anti‑apartheid activist Mxolisi Malinga has for the first time seen Joseph “Joe” Mamasela in the dock over massacres that claimed his comrades in 1986.

How he escaped twice

According to The Citizen, Malinga survived atrocities linked to Mamasela after being lured with false promises of joining uMkhonto weSizwe. On 26 June 1986 he was meant to be the 11th member of a group that later became known as the Mamelodi 10. Hours before departure his mother sent him to buy vegetables at Denneboom station near the Masakhane bridge pick‑up point; after the errand he saw the yellow minibus carrying his 10 comrades with Mamasela driving, but he did not board.

According to The Citizen, Mamasela had told Malinga “he would come back for me,” words Malinga says were never fulfilled. The article reports the activists were allegedly drugged, the minibus rigged with explosives and pushed over a cliff in the Nietverdiend area near the Botswana border.

According to The Citizen, on 15 July 1986 Malinga again avoided travel because he was suffering from diarrhoea and stayed behind while nine comrades left. Those nine later became known as the KwaNdebele nine; the article reports they were shot, doused with petrol and burnt beyond recognition.

Court appearance and charges

According to The Citizen, Mamasela, 74, and co‑accused Michael “Tebogo” Macitinga, 66, appeared at the Benoni Regional Court facing multiple charges including 15 counts of murder, arson, kidnapping, unlawful possession of explosives, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, and defeating or obstructing the administration of justice.

The Citizen reports that Mamasela was released on R5 000 bail, while Macitinga was released on warning. Conditions recorded in the article include surrendering their passports, remaining in Gauteng and reporting once a month to the Moroka and Benoni police stations.

Allegations and investigation

According to The Citizen, the Hawks allege the victims were deceived into believing they were joining liberation activities before being murdered by operatives attached to the apartheid security apparatus. The article states Mamasela and his accomplices allegedly operated from the Vlakplaas counterinsurgency unit under the command of former police colonel Eugene de Kock.

Survivor seeks answers

“I never thought I would to see this day. Now I want to know why he did it. They were innocent kids. I am glad he will pay for what he has done. It is also important for closure.”

According to The Citizen, Malinga, now 56, said he had never expected to see those alleged responsible in court and described the appearance as important for closure.

Next steps

According to The Citizen, the case has been transferred to the High Court in Johannesburg sitting in Benoni, where the two are expected to appear again on 1 February next year.