GQEBERHA – There has been a significant breakthrough in a long-standing apartheid-era matter relating to the kidnapping and murder of three political activists affiliated with the Port Elizabeth Black Civic Organisation (PEBCO).
In a statement, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks, said the breakthrough came through its Crimes Against the State (CATS) Unit.
The activists, Sipho Hashe, Qaqawuli Godolozi and Champion Galela allegedly disappeared on 8 May 1985 after being abducted at the then Verwoerd Airport in Gqeberha.
“Their disappearance remained unresolved for decades, leaving their families and the broader community without closure,” the statement said.
“Subsequent investigations indicate that the activists were allegedly unlawfully detained, assaulted and later killed during a period characterised by political repression.
“The matter was formally referred to the Hawks in May 2021 without supporting case documentation. Notwithstanding these limitations, the CATS Unit conducted an extensive review and reconstruction of the historical events.
“Following the investigation, three inquest case dockets were registered and two persons of interest, aged between 72 and 87 years, were identified.”
The breakthrough was achieved through coordinated efforts between the Hawks, the National Prosecuting Authority, the Department of Justice and the Missing Persons Task Team.
The matter appeared before the Gqeberha High Court on 23 January and was postponed to 20 February for further case management.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks in the Eastern Cape, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, reiterated that serious crimes do not prescribe with time and reaffirmed the Hawks’ continued commitment to ensuring justice, regardless of the period that has elapsed.
