PRESS RELEASE
To: All Media
ATT: News Editors, Human Rights Reporters
For Immediate Release
28 March 2025
INQUEST INTO THE 1993 HIGHGATE MASSACRE RESUMES IN EAST LONDON
Press Statement by the Foundation for Human Rights and Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr
The long-overdue inquest into the 1993 Highgate Massacre resumed on Monday, 24 March 2025 in East London marking a crucial step in addressing the unfinished business of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
On the 1st of May 1993 at least two gunmen attacked the Highgate Hotel in East London, South Africa, leaving five people dead and seven severely injured. While some of the survivors and the families of the victims appeared before the TRC to tell their stories, no one has ever applied for amnesty for this brutal attack.
Formally opened by the National Prosecuting Authority in early 2024, the inquest proceedings this week continue to shed light on new evidence in the matter as well as revealing systemic delays and impediments to the investigation.
On 24 March, Captain Peterson, the lead investigating officer into the Highgate Massacre, testified that in March 2025 he had received an order from his superiors to cease further direct communication with survivors, victims’ families, or their legal representatives on the details of the investigation. All further communication would be routed through the NPA appointed state advocates only. This directive echoes a similar restriction imposed in September 2021, which was later replaced by a policy of open communication with victims’ families, survivors, and their legal representatives.
It is unclear what prompted the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI) to change its approach to sharing information. However, we are concerned this shift is likely to impact not only the quality of the Highgate inquest but, if extended to other TRC cases, also the effectiveness of these other investigations, ultimately undermining the efficacy of inquests and prosecutions.
Judge Potgieter, presiding over the Highgate inquest, shared these concerns in court on the 25th of March when he questioned Colonel Ripa (DPCI) about the order given to Captain Peterson. Colonel Ripa attributed the change in the manner of communication to a “misunderstanding” and conceded that a breakdown in communication might have hampered the progress of the investigation. Judge Potgieter requested the DPCI to ensure that there are no further restrictions in communications between Captain Peterson and survivors, victims’ families, or their legal representatives. Colonel Ripa agreed but insisted that all parties involved (both the NPA and the legal representatives for the survivors and victims’ families) as well as himself, should be copied on all communication to Captain Peterson.
Sharing information is essential for fostering collaboration among parties to the inquest and preventing unnecessary complications and delays during the hearing. In previous inquests, access to case dockets and sharing of other information between the parties allowed the FHR legal teams representing the families to identify critical issues that required further investigation or follow-up in the weeks and months leading up to the hearing. Advocate Howard Varney, representing the victims of the Highgate Massacre, condemned these restrictions, stating: “These actions fundamentally undermine the investigation and deny families their constitutional right to truth and justice.”
APLA’S INVOLVEMENT DISPUTED: LETLAPA MPHAHLELE TESTIFIES
A pivotal moment in the inquest came with the testimony of Mr. Letlapa Mphahlele, former Azanian People’s Liberation Army (APLA) Director of Operations, who categorically denied APLA’s involvement in the 1 May 1993 attack at the Highgate Hotel in East London. He pointed out to the following contradictions in the case:
- APLA operatives never concealed their faces, yet the Highgate attackers wore balaclavas.
- APLA never used teargas in its operations, yet it was deployed at Highgate.
- APLA meticulously documented all its operations, yet the Highgate attack was absent from their seized records in Mthatha (1994) and Lesotho (1995).
- The weapons used—AK-47s—were largely abandoned by APLA in 1993 due to suspected sabotage, yet these were the guns used at Highgate.
- APLA’s urban warfare strategy included hijacking getaway cars which were later returned, yet no such vehicle was reported stolen or recovered after the Highgate attack.
Mr. Mphahlele, alongside the survivors and families, has been fighting for the truth for over 33 years, stating: “We have been gasping for justice” for decades and they will continue to do so. Mr. Mphahlele also highlighted the close relationship that has developed between himself and the survivors and families of the victims.
To access the footage of the testimony by Captain Peterson and Mr. Mphahlele consult this link.
To access the footage of the testimony by Colonel Ripa and Captain Swartbooi consult this link.
/END
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr
Tim Smit, Director Dispute Resolution: tim.smit@cdhlegal.com / 083 952 0007
Paige Winfield, paige.winfield@cdhlegal.com / 082 902 6525
Foundation for Human Rights
Ms Mosa Leteane mleteane@fhr.org.za / 076 707 8600
