A court in South Africa has heard emotional testimony from the widows and children of four anti-apartheid activists known as the Cradock Four. Fort Calata, Matthew Goniwe, Sparrow Mkhonto and Sicelo Mhlauli were abducted and brutally murdered by apartheid police nearly 40 years ago. The first phase of the inquest has concluded in Port Elizabeth.

Families and rights groups, who have waited decades to have their voices heard, hope the court will identify those responsible and pave the way for long-overdue prosecutions. The case is widely regarded as a crucial test of South Africa’s ability to reckon with unresolved apartheid-era crimes.

Agencies.