The long-awaited inquest into the 1993 Highgate Hotel massacre in East London is set to begin next Monday, according to the Foundation for Human Rights. The investigation will look into the deaths of Boyce Wheeler, Derek Whitfield, Stanley Hacking, Deon Harris, and Douglas Gates. The inquest will be held at the East London Special Tribunal in Vincent.
Despite more than 30 years of advocacy by survivors and the victims’ families, the identities of the attackers and their motives remain unknown. The Foundation for Human Rights emphasized that the inquest represents a significant step towards uncovering the truth.
In addition to the five fatalities, seven others survived the shooting but sustained serious injuries. These survivors include Neville Beling, Karl Weber, Billy Baling, Nkosinathi Gontshi (now deceased), Doreen Roussouw (now deceased), Megan Boucher, and Charles Bodington.
The inquest aims to bring closure to those affected by the tragedy. The Foundation noted, “This inquest is a pivotal moment in the search for justice.”
In his 1997 testimony to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), Karl Weber recounted the harrowing moments of the attack. He explained that he and his friends had just ordered drinks at the Highgate Hotel when they heard the distinct sound of automatic gunfire, followed by what he described as “a bang like a hand grenade.” A voice shouted, “We’re under attack,” and, Weber said, “Before any of us could take cover, a man standing at the entrance door, armed with an AK-47, began spraying bullets throughout the bar.”
Neville Beling, another survivor, shared his experience with the TRC, recalling the deafening gunfire, an explosion, and the smell of tear gas filling the bar before the shooting abruptly ceased. Beling sustained injuries to his left arm and internal wounds during the attack.