A South African judge has ordered the Department of Defence to explain its continued refusal to release documents pertaining to the 1985 murders of four anti-apartheid activists, known as the Cradock Four. The legal action stems from contempt of court charges filed against former acting Secretary of Defence, Dr. Thobekile Gamede, for failing to declassify the requested materials. The documents are considered crucial to understanding the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the activists. This case revisits a decades-old struggle for transparency regarding state involvement in politically motivated killings during the apartheid era. The judge’s order seeks to compel the Defence Department to justify the ongoing secrecy surrounding the files. The outcome could have significant implications for accountability and closure for the families of the victims. Further hearings are expected as the Department responds to the court’s directive.