Sharpeville massacre victims’ families take state to court for justice and compensation
Families of victims and survivors of the Sharpeville Massacre have filed a High Court application seeking to sue the state for justice, accountability, and compensation.
The case, brought in the Gauteng High Court by one survivor and two descendants on behalf of a wider group, asks the court to compel President Cyril Ramaphosa and the justice and police ministers to repeal the Indemnity Act of 1961. That apartheid-era law still bars civil claims and criminal charges over the 21 March 1960 killings.
Lawyers for Human Rights and UK firm Leigh Day also want a class action certified so about 70 survivors and relatives can sue together. Lawyer Charne Tracey said the community wants reparations to heal, and feels Sharpeville has been forgotten.
Police opened fire on unarmed protesters against pass laws, killing at least 69 people, researchers say as many as 91 and injuring more than 200. No officer was ever prosecuted. Survivor Abraham Mofokeng, 86, still has a bullet in his spine. “A win would bring complete healing,” he said.
The justice department said it does not oppose families pursuing legal remedies. Applicants say that is no longer enough after 66 years.
