By Farouk Araie
Cape Town - Finally after 52 years, a new inquest will be opened to uncover the hidden truth behind the brutal murder of Imam Abdullah Haron.
The Security Branch of the apartheid machinery killed hundreds of people it considered a threat to the state.
Torture and murder were deemed necessary to maintain the racist equilibrium.
Sadly, all these brutal killings were done while the West looked on. In fact, it supplied intelligence that enabled the Security Police to arrest icon Nelson Mandela near Howick.
In a democratic South Africa, the cover-ups, ineptitude and denial of justice stand out as a deep betrayal of the ultimate sacrifices made by dedicated comrades.
During the 25 years of detention without trial, there were 67 deaths in detention.
From 1963 to 1988 , there were 21 863 people held in detention.
These were crimes against humanity. The silence of those in the Western corridors of power was sickening.
Out of our collective memories and our immense suffering and utter humiliation under institutionalised racism.
We must now forge unshakeable bonds with all decent people that never again will the world stand silent in the face of such heinous atrocities.
The truth will emerge after 52 painful years. It was Winston Churchill who once said: “The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is.”
We must never be bystanders or perpetrators, when such devastating crimes are repeated against humanity.
Apartheid was a crime against humanity.
Final judgment on the untimely death of stalwart Iman Haroon will one day be delivered for posterity. Death could not conquer this martyr, for now and for all times he lives in the heart of the masses he fought and died for.
It was Soren Kierkegaard who wrote: “The tyrant dies and his rule is over, the martyr dies and his rule begins.”
Cape Times
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