PRESS RELEASE
To: All Media
ATT: News Editors, Human Rights Reporters
For Immediate Release
21 January 2024
The Inquest into the 1993 Highgate Hotel Massacre is set to begin at the East London Special Tribunal after 32 Years Since the Attack
Inquest is set to run from 27 January 2025 until 07 February 2025
Press statement issued by the Foundation for Human Rights Press and Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr
The long-awaited inquest into the 1993 Highgate Hotel Massacre in East London will take place from 27 January 2025 – 7 February 2025 at the East London Special Tribunal, 59 Western Avenue, Sanlam Park, Vincent.
The attack happened on 1 May 1993 when several unknown gunmen entered the Highgate Hotel in East London, South Africa. It resulted in the tragic loss of:
- Royce Michael Wheeler;
- Derek John Whitfield;
- Stanley Hacking;
- Deon Harris; and
- Douglas Gates.
Seven patrons sustained serious physical injuries as a result of the attack:
- Neville Beling;
- Karl Weber;
- Billy Baling;
- Nkosinathi Alfred Gontshi (now deceased);
- Doreen Roussouw (now deceased);
- Megan Boucher; and
- Charles Bodington.
The identities of the attackers and their motives remain unknown, despite more than three decades of advocacy by survivors and families of the deceased for justice and closure. The inquest marks a significant step forward in uncovering the truth behind the massacre. Survivors Neville Beling and Karl Weber, and Lyndene Page, sister of the late Deon Harris who tragically lost his life in the attack, represented by FHR and CDH, have been at the forefront of this pursuit. Their story is an example of extraordinary perseverance and a tireless fight for justice.
The FHR and Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr request that members of the media respect the privacy of the survivors and victims’ families as they have requested not to be approached directly for comments or interviews. Any media inquiries, including requests for comments or access during the inquest proceedings, should be directed to the Foundation for Human Rights (Mosa Leteane) or CDH (Paige Winfield).
/END
Media contacts:
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
Background:
The Highgate Massacre is one of South Africa’s unresolved tragedies from the early 1990s. Allegations initially linked the attack to the Azanian People’s Liberation Army (APLA), the military wing of the PAC. However, APLA has consistently denied responsibility, citing differences in modus operandi. Furthermore, no amnesty applications were submitted to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for the Highgate attack.
Despite testimonies from three survivors and two victims’ families during the TRC hearings in East London (1996-1997), no inquest was ever held by the National Prosecuting Authority, and no arrests were made.
Survivors and families of the deceased formed the Highgate Survivors Group in 2007, continuing their advocacy for truth and justice. The decision to open the inquest was announced by the National Prosecuting Authority in 2024. The commencement of this inquest represents a significant step towards truth recovery and closure for the Highgate victims.