South Africa: Victims of The Sharpeville Massacre File a Lawsuit

More than 60 years have passed since South African apartheid police opened fire at a rally in 1960. In an effort to reverse a legislation that has barred compensation claims, attorneys for survivors and the families of those deceased are now suing the South African government.

Abram Mofokeng, an 87-year-old survivor of the Sharpeville massacre, hopes the government keeps its promises.We anticipate that they will keep their word. After being released from prison, Mr. Mandela unveiled this memorial. He said, “He promised us R120 000 [$7,437 USD, at today’s exchange rate ed.] for those who were impacted.” A law that was passed a year after the massacre is being challenged by solicitors.

There are several facets to the lawsuit, according to Lawyers for Human Rights lawyer Charne Tracey, who says, “There are two major aspects to the case.” Declaring the Indemnity Act invalid is the first step. To pursue individual damages, the second stage is having our class of persons certified as a class. We are suing the South African President, the Minister of Justice, and the Minister of Police.”

The granddaughter of the massacre victim, Mpai Chabane, adds, “We can’t really explain, but I can imagine if I was there on that day the heartbreak. You know what, we heard there was blood all over here, and we saw it by them staging the whole thing.” We were also raised without grandparents, so it’s having a significant impact on us. I am among those who did not have a grandmother growing up.

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