Nokuthula Aurelia Simelane was abducted, tortured, and forcibly disappeared by members of the Security Branch of the South African Police (SAP) in 1983. In 2001, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC’s) Amnesty Committee granted some of the perpetrators amnesty for Nokuthula’s abduction, but none of the perpetrators applied for amnesty for her murder. In 2016‚ a prosecution was brought against Willem Coetzee‚ Anton Pretorius‚ Frederick Mong, and Msebenzi Radebe‚ formerly of the Soweto Special Branch police‚ for their alleged roles in her murder. The case was delayed when the defendants requested the South African Police Service (the successor of the SAP) to pay their legal costs. In January 2020, the accused appeared in court. The trial has been scheduled for 5-30 October 2020.
CASE OVERVIEW
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TIMELINE
Timeline of events. Click the arrows to scroll.
1960
Simelane is born
1983
Simelane is abducted, tortured, disappeared, and presumed murdered
1996
Police docket is opened
1997
Matter is referred to Amnesty Committee of TRC
2001
Amnesty Committee grants all applicants amnesty for abduction. Applicants Selamolela and Veyi, are granted amnesty for torture
2003
Priority Crimes Litigation Unit of NPA is created
2003
The TRC’s final report is released, stressing the need for a ‘bold prosecution policy’ in cases where amnesty has been refused
2003
The President of SA addresses Parliament on the need for criminal accountability in TRC cases
2005
NPA releases amendments to Prosecution Policy, effectively creating ‘backdoor amnesty’
2007
Simelane’s sister, Thembisile Nkadimeng, takes amendments to court
2008
High Court of Pretoria strikes down NPA amendments to its Prosecution Policy
2010
Investigating Officer is appointed to case. In the meantime, police docket is reported missing
2012
Original docket is found
2013
Remains of a young woman are found at construction site. Forensic evidence is negative
2013
Simelane family requests inquest
2015
Thembisile Nkadimeng files an application in the High Court for an order to compel the SAPS to finalise its investigations, and an order compelling the NPA for a decision
2016
NPA announces it will prosecute four perpetrators for Simelane’s murder and Radebe for her kidnapping
2018
A selection of TRC cases, including Simelane’s, are placed before the NPA for further investigation and prosecution
2019
Radebe dies
2019
High Court grants presumption of death
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