Heidelberg Tavern massacre

Heidelberg Tavern Massacre
Part of the history of Apartheid
Observatory, Cape Town Observatory, Cape Town (South Africa)
Location	Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
Date	30 December 1993 (1993-12-30)
Deaths	4
Injured	5
Perpetrators	APLA
Assailants	Humphrey Luyanda Gqomfa, Vuyisile Brian Madasi and Zola Prince Mabala

The Heidelberg Tavern massacre occurred in Observatory, Cape Town on 30 December 1993. Three Azanian People's Liberation Army (APLA) terrorists entered the Heidelberg Tavern and opened fire on the crowd, killing four students and the owner of an adjacent restaurant who went outside to investigate the sounds of gunfire. An unexploded bomb (with nails strapped to it) was found in the restaurant, close to the main entrance.

Massacre

During the years of apartheid, Observatory was one of the few de facto "grey" suburbs where all races lived together. On the evening of 30 December 1993, three men entered a popular student venue on Station Road, called the Heidelberg Tavern and opened fire, killing four people and injuring five. The three APLA operatives – Humphrey Luyanda Gqomfa, Vuyisile Brian Madasi and Zola Prince Mabala – were convicted in November 1994 for what became known as the Heidelberg Massacre. On 16 July 1998, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission granted the three amnesty.

Victims

Killed:

• Bernadette Sharon Langford
• Lindy-Anne Fourie
• Rolande Lucielle Palm
• Nosolino Cequeira

Injured:

• Benjamin Joseph Broude
• Quintin Cornelius
• Dave Deglon
• Justin Julian Fouche
• Michael January

See also

• List of massacres in South Africa