Matthew Goniwe was a popular schoolteacher in Cradock. His inspirational community leadership in resisting apartheid resulted in the government secretly ordering his "permanent removal from society". On 27th June 1985, a secret police death squad abducted Goniwe, Fort Calata, Sparrow Mkonto and Sicelo Mhlauli and brutally murdered them. They became known as the Cradock Four. The film shows the oppressive climate of the racist regime in the seventies and early eighties and using compelling archive materials, incisive interviews and dramatic recreations, it reveals the ideals which led Goniwe and his friends to support the liberation struggle.

feature length film
Dur: 90 min
© 2010 SA/France

A film by David Forbes

d. David Forbes, South Africa/France 2010, DOC, English, Video, 91 min & 52 min

Meurtres de Cradock (Les)
The Cradock Murders
Matthew Goniwe & the demise of Apartheid
TV version
Dur: 52 min © 2010 - SA/France Co-production
A film by David Forbes & Michel Noll


2010 | DIFF - Durban
* Filmmaker in attendance