Sixty-Six Years On: Sharpeville Families Take Fight for Justice to Court
Sixty-six years have passed since the Sharpeville Massacre. On March 21, 1960, police shot peaceful protesters in South Africa. Survivors and families still seek justice, now fighting their case in court.
The massacre happened in Sharpeville township near Johannesburg. Black South Africans protested strict “pass laws.” These laws forced Black people to carry documents and controlled their lives. Police opened fire on the crowd. At least 69 people died and 180 were injured. Some research suggests higher numbers.
Paulina Mathinye was five years old then. Her father went to the protest meeting. He never came back home. Paulina’s father was the family’s main earner. Her mother cleaned homes for five children, who often went hungry. Paulina could not afford further study, working young to help her family.
The apartheid government passed the Indemnity Act in 1961. This law stopped victims and families from suing the police. Lawyers for Human Rights challenges this Act, saying it created a legal barrier. They want the Gauteng High Court to declare it unconstitutional.
The lawyers also want to start a “class action” lawsuit. This means many people can sue together. It includes survivors and families of those killed. Over 70 people support this action.
Ishmael Poho was six years old when his father died. His mother searched for three days. She found his body in police garages. Ishmael’s family suffered, losing chances for education and career.
Mauleen Maine’s uncle, aged 23, was killed that day. He was his family’s main provider. Her grandmother struggled financially and died without justice. Mauleen, now 62, continues her family’s long fight.
Families are not only seeking money. They also seek better housing and education. They hope for talks with the South African government to discuss reparations and victim recognition.
The Sharpeville Massacre is remembered every year as a symbol of human rights. For these families, the story is not finished. Many survivors are elderly, so the legal team feels urgency. Paulina Mathinye still asks: “Why did they shoot my father?”
