In was a roller coaster of emotions when survivors and families of victims that died in a horrific tragedy visited the Highgate Hotel where an in loco inspection was held on the first day of the Highgate Inquest.
The inquest started this week with significant developments, including key testimonies and an inspection in loco at the site of the 1993 massacre.
The inquest officially opened on Monday , with the National Prosecuting Authority and the legal representatives for the families delivering their opening statements.
Presided over by Judge Denzil Potgieter, the proceedings began by establishing the political context and historical significance of the Highgate Massacre, setting the stage for the inquest and highlighting the temporal challenges of apartheid-era investigations.
The Highgate Massacre is considered one of South Africa’s most unresolved tragedies from the Apartheid era.
On May 1, 1993, the massacre resulted in the tragic deaths of Boyce Michael Wheeler, Derek John Whitfield, Stanley Hacking, Deon Harris, and Douglas Gates. Seven others were seriously injured, including Neville Beling, Karl Weber, Billy Baling, Nkosinathi Alfred Gontshi (now deceased), Doreen Roussouw (now deceased), Megan Boucher, and Charles Bodington.
Despite over three decades of advocacy by survivors and families, the identities of the attackers and their motives remain shrouded in mystery.
Initially, the attack was linked to the Azanian People’s Liberation Army (APLA), the military wing of the PAC, but APLA has denied responsibility, citing differences in tactics.
No amnesty applications for the attack were submitted to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
On Tuesday, nearly 32 years after that horrific day, the proceedings into the inquest finally began with the court viewing video footage from the aftermath of the attack.
This was followed by an inspection in loco at the Highgate Hotel, where survivors Neville Beling, his cousin Roland Parker, and Karl Weber guided the court through the events of that fateful night.
Their testimonies provided critical firsthand accounts of the attack.
"I remember the chaos, the explosion, and the overwhelming presence of tear gas that filled the bar," recalled Beling, his voice trembling as he recounted the terror of that night.
The inspection allowed the court to better understand the physical space where the massacre occurred and how the events unfolded.
Lyndene Page, the sister of the late Deon Harris, who was killed in the attack, was present and visibly overwhelmed by the emotions of the space.
"Being here brings back memories I wish I could forget," she said, tears in her eyes.
Members of the Highgate Victims and Survivors Support Group were also at the inspection, their faces etched with pain and determination.
After the inspection, the court reconvened, and Captain Vaughn Peterson continued his testimony.
Under cross-examination, he elaborated on the various challenges that have plagued the investigation over the years, including lost evidence, unsigned witness statements, and deceased witnesses.
Lawyers representing the families identified a number of issues in the docket and investigation diary, including lost fingerprints and cartridges. They highlighted that the commanding officer's order for an inquest soon after the attack was never carried out.
Mosa Leteane Mletoane from the Foundation of Human Rights, said Peterson’s cross-questioning raised concerns about possible foul play or mishandling of the case,"
“This further reinforces the survivors' long-standing frustration with the lack of justice.”
On Wednesday, January 29, the day began with the final cross examination of Captain Peterson’s statement before shifting focus to Beling.
Mletoane said notably, one of Captain Peterson's admissions was that the Highgate investigation was not handled as efficiently as it should have been.
Beling took the witness stand recounting what happened on that dreadful day: "May 1, 1993, was supposed to be an ordinary night out with friends, but it turned into a life-altering tragedy," he recounted, his voice breaking.
"I heard the loudest explosion of my life, and the whole building shook." He described how "the tear gas filled the air like a heavy powder that covered the bar, making it nearly impossible to breathe or see."
Beling further shared how, through the efforts of Theresa Edlmann, he was able to reconnect with other survivors and form a support group. "We found strength in each other," he said, "and together, we push for accountability."
After proceedings Page said she had a mixed feelings of emotions: “These past few days have been very emotional, however we are very grateful that at last we have people who are interested in finding answers for us, answers that we have been trying to find for the last 30 years.”
Page said when they did the Inspection in Loco, she broke down.
“Thinking of my brother standing, spending his last minutes in that area and it just broke me, but also having that feeling of everyone standing around who are supporting us, also eased me, that hopefully we will have the answers to what happened.”
In the upcoming days, more witnesses, including Karl Weber, Theresa Edlmann and Bernice Whitfield, will testify, each carrying their own stories of loss.