HSF commits to justice for more apartheid-era crime victims after Luthuli ruling
The Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) said it remained committed to justice for the families and victims connected to unprosecuted apartheid-era crimes and wants the public's help.
The HSF is urging those with relevant information to old cases to make submissions to the Commission of Inquiry into Delays in Investigation and Prosecution of Truth and Reconciliation Commission cases.
The HSF welcomed this week's KwaZulu-Natal High Court ruling which found that Chief Albert Luthuli was murdered by operatives of the Apartheid Security Branch in 1967.
The original inquest had ruled that Luthuli died in a train accident.
"His family, however, maintained for nearly six decades that he was killed and fought for the truth to be uncovered," said the foundation.
Luthuli, who led the African National Congress (ANC) from 1957 to 1967, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1961 for his commitment to non-violent resistance and the struggle for freedom.
The foundation pointed out that Helen Suzman and Luthuli shared a deep respect for one another.
"Luthuli once described Helen as 'a bright star in a dark chamber'. Despite his banning order, Helen visited him in Groutville, Zululand, to seek his counsel on the formation of the Progressive Party, and the two remained in correspondence. She later attended the unveiling of his tombstone in July 1972," the foundation recalled.
The HSF said there is a heightened obligation for the State to investigate and prosecute ongoing crimes such as enforced disappearances.
In May, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a proclamation for the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry to determine whether attempts were made to prevent the investigation and prosecution of apartheid-era crimes.
The commission is chaired by retired Constitutional Court Judge Sisi Khampepe, assisted by retired Northern Cape Judge President Frans Diale Kgomo and Advocate Andrea Gabriel.
Earlier this month, the HSF made a submission to the inquiry.
The Court also recommended that the National Prosecuting Authority investigate the kidnapping or enforced disappearance of witnesses linked to the case.

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