Dr. Thobekile Gamede, former acting Secretary of Defence of South Africa, faces contempt of court charges for failing to declassify documents related to the 1985 killings of the Cradock Four. The Cradock Four were anti-apartheid activists Fort Calata, Sicelo Mhlauli, Sparrow Mkonto, and Matthew Goniwe. According to unfinishedtrc.co.za, the Department of Defence failed to comply with a court order issued by Judge Thami Beshe on June 12, 2026, to release the documents in unredacted electronic and hard copy form within five court days. Theherald.co.za reported that Judge Beshe awarded costs against the Department of Defence and Dr. Gamede in favour of the Cradock Four families. Wansom.ai reported that Judge Beshe declared the continued security classification of the documents unlawful. The families of the Cradock Four applied for an Order of Contempt of Court against Dr. Gamede and the Department of Defence on May 29, 2026, according to unfinishedtrc.co.za. The families allege the Department of Defence intentionally refused to declassify documents contrary to a court order. The Department of Defence cited national security to justify withholding documents, but this justification was challenged. According to allafrica.com, the Cradock Four were arrested at a roadblock manned by the Security Branch, assaulted, and murdered on June 27, 1985. A previous inquest into their deaths in 1987 concluded that the men had been killed by 'unknown persons'. Legal developments in the Cradock Four case are seen as part of a broader effort to address historical injustices in South Africa.