Eugene de Kock Denies Role in Cradock Four Killings at 2026 Inquest

Former apartheid operative Eugene de Kock testified at the Cradock Four inquest on March 24, 2026. He denied any direct role in the 1985 killings of anti-apartheid activists Matthew Goniwe, Fort Calata, Sparrow Mkonto, and Sicelo Mhlauli. De Kock did confirm that security forces used coded terms like “permanent removal” for assassinations. These orders came from senior officials. The families of the four men seek justice decades later. This Eugene de Kock testimony reopens questions about accountability in apartheid’s crimes.

De Kock told the inquest he had no part in the murders.

He admitted advising one of the killers on how to hide identifying marks on the gun used in the shootings.

Security forces often used coded language such as ‘permanent removal’ for killings, and such orders mostly came from senior officials.

De Kock made these points during his testimony, as reported from the inquest proceedings.

The Cradock Four were activists from Cradock. Security police abducted and killed them in June 1985. The apartheid government denied any role at first. Later evidence tied state forces to the deaths, but no one faced charges.

Two prior inquests failed to name those responsible. The current Cradock Four inquest, led by former judge Chris Nicholson, aims to set that right.

Nicholson wrote the book Permanent Removal: Who Killed the Cradock Four. He uses circumstantial evidence to link the State Security Council to the order.

In my book, what I try to show is that the circumstantial evidence shows that the request to permanently remove the Cradock Four must have been agreed to by the State Security Council.

De Kock shared views with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on these euphemisms.

The court has visited sites where special branch police watched the four men.

Here is a timeline of key events:

• June 1985: Cradock Four abducted and killed by security police.
• 1990s: Truth and Reconciliation Commission hears evidence on apartheid crimes.
• Prior inquests: Two efforts fail to establish full liability.
• 2026: Current inquest begins under Judge Chris Nicholson; De Kock testifies on March 24.

De Kock’s words raise questions about state responsibility.

They highlight gaps in accountability, even after Truth and Reconciliation Commission findings.

Nicholson argues the State Security Council approved the “permanent removal.”

Eugene de Kock was advising one of the killers of the Cradock Four on how he could hide the identifying characteristics on the gun he used in shooting them.

All views come from Nicholson and inquest records.

The inquest continues with no convictions yet.

Judge Nicholson has visited locations tied to the killings.

De Kock referred to his past Truth and Reconciliation Commission statements for more detail.