Highgate Massacre

Five individuals were tragically killed in the Highgate Massacre on 1 May 1993: 

• Deric Whitfield 

• Stan Hacking 

• Deon Wayne Harris 

• Dave Wheeler 

• Douglas Gates 

Their lives were cut short in an act of brutal violence for which no one has ever been held accountable. 

Several others sustained life-altering injuries in the attack, some of whom have since passed away: 

• Neville Beling 

• Karl Weber 

• Billy Baling 

• Nkosinathi Alfred Gontshi (now deceased) 

• Doreen Roussouw (now deceased) 

• Megan Boucher 

• Charles Bodington 

Despite their physical and emotional scars, the survivors—alongside families of the deceased—have shown extraordinary resilience and continue to pursue justice and recognition for what happened that night. 

Between 1996 and 1997, four survivors of the Highgate Massacre and two family members of those killed testified at the TRC hearings held in East London. The Commission received statements concerning the deceased—Deric John Whitfield and Boyce Michael Wheeler —as well as from those who were injured: Karl Weber, Doreen Rousseau, Neville Beling, and Nkosinathi Alfred Gontshi. 

Despite these deeply personal and painful accounts, no amnesty applications were ever submitted for the massacre. Nor were any thorough investigations ever carried out. To this day, the perpetrators remain unidentified, and the motive behind the attack remains unknown. 

Among those who testified was Karl Weber, who shared his account of the events that unfolded that night. After picking up a friend from the airport, Weber and his companions stopped at the Highgate Hotel for a drink. Without warning, gunfire erupted. He described the terrifying scene: the sound of automatic weapons, the detonation of a grenade, and a man with an AK-47 opening fire in the bar. Weber fell to the ground, unable to move, and watched as the gunman reloaded and continued shooting before throwing a tear gas canister into the bar. He later regained consciousness in intensive care at Frere Hospital. His full testimony can be found here.

Neville Beling also testified about the chaos and horror of that night. He was shot and lost feeling in his left arm as he fell to the ground. Unable to see what was happening, he described hearing continuous gunfire, followed by an explosion that dimmed the lights. He noticed something roll across the floor behind him and braced for another blast—but instead, tear gas began to fill the bar. Struggling to breathe, Beling dragged himself into an adjoining room before paramedics arrived. He sustained serious injuries to his arm, hip, and internally. His full statement can be found here. 

The late Doreen Roussouw testified, “I said to the friend on my right, ‘I’ve been shot,’ and he told me to lie still and pretend I was dead, as they might come back. My friend on the left was lying face down, and I shook him, but he remained still. Everyone was screaming, lying in pools of blood.” The late Nkosinathi Alfred Gontshi, who was working as the barman at the time of the attack, recalled, “On entering the bar, the man in a mask started firing at all of us. I was hit in my right thigh by one of the bullets. Even today, I do not know which political organisation was responsible, if any.” These statements are quoted in Volume 3, Chapter 2 of the TRC Report, which can be accessed here.

In 2007, survivors and family members of the victims formed the Highgate Survivors Group, advocating relentlessly for truth, accountability, and justice. In 2019, survivors Neville Beling and Karl Weber, along with Lyndene Page – the sister of the late Deon Harris, who tragically lost his life in the attack – approached the Foundation for Human Rights (FHR) for assistance. The FHR facilitated the appointment of pro bono attorneys from Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, who have been providing technical and legal support to them ever since. 

After years of investigation by the state with support from the legal team for the survivors and Lyndene Paige, and sustained public pressure, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) announced the opening of a formal inquest in 2024. This long-awaited step marks a crucial turning point in the pursuit of justice and the restoration of historical truth. 

Despite the passage of over three decades, the identities and motives of the attackers remain unknown. Yet the survivors and families—among them Neville Beling, Karl Weber, and Lyndene Page, sister of the late Deon Harris—continue to lead the fight for justice. Their unwavering determination stands as a powerful testament to the importance of memory, accountability, and the right to truth. 

COURT PAPERS

EXHIBITS

Exhibit A – Highgate Deceased Victims bundle can be downloaded from this link

Exhibit B – Witness affidavits (Part 1) can be downloaded from this link

Exhibit B – Witness affidavits (Part 2) can be downloaded from this link

Exhibit C – Bernice Whitfield can be downloaded from this link

Exhibit C – Families Bundle can be downloaded from this link

Exhibit C – Keith Baling can be downloaded from this link

Exhibit C – William Baling can be downloaded from this link

Exhibit D – Statements prepared for the inquest can be downloaded from this link

Exhibit E – Investigation Diary can be downloaded from this link

Exhibit F1 and F2 – Picture outside the Highgate Hotel on 2 May 1993 can be downloaded from this link

Exhibit G – Receipt can be downloaded from this link

Exhibit H – Pictures of Boots can be downloaded from this link

Exhibit I – Additional (Missing) Statements can be downloaded from this link

Exhibit J – Statement of Du Plessis can be downloaded from this link

Exhibit K – Photos can be downloaded from this link

Exhibit L – Elimination of Suspects List can be downloaded from this link

Exhibit M – Abis System Screenshot can be downloaded from this link

Exhibit N – Van Der Merwe Statement can be downloaded from this link

Exhibit O – Charl Naude Report can be downloaded from this link

Exhibit P – Picture of Safety Pin can be downloaded from this link

Exhibit Q – Facebook Messenger Conversation between Roland Parker and Alan Elsdon can be downloaded from this link

Exhibit R – WhatsApp Conversation between Roland Parker and Alan Elsdon can be downloaded from this link

Exhibit S – Sam Sole extract on the Hammer Unit and Goniwe Murders can be downloaded from this link

Exhibit T – Christian Botha Statement can be downloaded from this link

Exhibit U – Alan Elsdon Affidavit can be downloaded from this link

Exhibit V – Affidavit of Sisa Njikelana can be downloaded from this link

Exhibit W – Inspection in Loco Report can be downloaded from this link

Exhibit X – Swartbooi Statement can be downloaded from this link

Exhibit Y – Fingerprint Evidence can be downloaded from this link

Exhibit Z – Stassen Comment can be downloaded from this link

Z Exhibit AA – Ncamazana Amnesty Decision can be downloaded from this link

Z Exhibit BB – Bossr Statement can be downloaded from this link

Z Exhibit CC – Buchner Statement can be downloaded from this link

Z Exhibit DD – Elsdon Statement can be downloaded from this link

Z Exhibit EE – Michael Potgieter Affidavit can be downloaded from this link

Z Exhibit FF – Stefanus Salmon Van Wyk can be downloaded from this link

Z Exhibit GG – Amnesty Record Mbambo can be downloaded from this link

Z Exhibit HH – Affidavit by R Tyrrell and APLA Analysis can be downloaded from this link