South Africa to review claims past ANC governments impeded apartheid crimes investigations

Fort Calata, second right, and Matthew Goniwe, right, were two of the Cradock Four killed by state security forces. Photograph: Karin Brulliard/Getty Images

South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, is setting up an inquiry into whether past ANC governments interfered with the investigation and prosecution of apartheid-era crimes, amid criticism from the families of victims.

A group of 25 relatives and survivors of apartheid-era deaths and violence sued the government in January, claiming that interference from “the highest levels of government” blocked investigations into cases referred to the National Prosecuting Authority by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).