JOHANNESBURG - The high court in Johannesburg has given the state the green light,
to proceed with the charges of crimes against humanity against two apartheid-era police officers in 1982.
Christiaan Rorich and Tlhomedi Mfalapitsa face charges of murder and attempted murder, for the killing of Eustice Madikela, Peter Matabane, Fanyana Nhlapo and the severe injury of Zandisile Musi.
They were students from Kagiso, a township in Gauteng, and members of the Congress of South African Students (COSAS), an organisation affiliated with the then-banned African National Congress (ANC).
Collectively known as the COSAS 4 the students were lured to a pump house in Krugersdorp, where explosives were detonated.
Foundation for Human Rights Mosa Leteane says this moment brings relief to victims' families but also widens the essence of what crimes against humanity are and also crimes of apartheid.
" Because of this specific judgement, it means apartheid will be tried as an international crime.
"This will mean we will be able to widen jurisdiction for relief of the families for justice in this regard," she said.
Meanwhile, judgement National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Phindi Mjonondwane says this is a victory that serves to bolster the NPA plight to deliver justice to victims of apartheid atrocities.
"The court has delivered that we are heading in the right direction," Mjonodwane said.