Anti-apartheid activists, Fort Calata, Matthew Goniwe, Sicelo Mhlauli and Sparrow Mkonto were abducted and killed by the apartheid security police while leaving the city of Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape province in 1985. The inquest has been set to sit for nine days.

The inquest was postponed last year due to legal cost delays as the former state officials involved, wanted the state to cover their legal costs and Matthew Goniwe's nephew, Mbulelo, wants the state to pay for his legal representation.

Only family witnesses will give evidence during the nine days set aside for the inquest. This year marks 40 years since the death of these anti-apartheid activists, collectively known as the Cradock Four. This is the third inquest looking into their deaths.

--SABC--