Sharpeville massacre survivors file class action lawsuit
The survivors and family members of victims are demanding reparations for the victims and families
Lawyers for Human Rights have announced they are filing a class action lawsuit on behalf of victims of the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre, according to reports. The legal action, launched in Sharpeville on Thursday, aims to challenge legislation passed by the apartheid regime in 1961 that prevented survivors and dependents of the victims from pursuing legal action.
The lawsuit underscores the survivors' and family members' demand for the government to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's recommendations and provide reparations to the victims and their families. Lawyer Charne Tracey, who represents the victims, stated that the claims are not novel but rather a continuation of previous efforts.
She explained that following the massacre, hundreds of compensation claims were filed for those injured and dependents of the killed. However, the apartheid government introduced an indemnity act that voided these claims, making it difficult for victims to pursue legal action. Tracey emphasized that the passage of time is not a reflection of the victims' failure to act but rather a consequence of the government's actions, which altered the legal landscape to hinder these claims from proceeding.
Written by urgent.news from SABC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
