South Africa’s Hawks say they have made a major breakthrough in the PEBCO Three case, the 1985 kidnapping and murder of three anti-apartheid activists.

What Happened in May 1985

The activists were Sipho Hashe, Qaqawuli Godolozi and Champion Galela. They disappeared on 8 May 1985 after they were allegedly abducted at the then Verwoerd Airport in Port Elizabeth, now Gqeberha. Their disappearance stayed unresolved for decades, leaving families without answers.

Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba said later investigations indicate the men were unlawfully detained, assaulted and later killed during a period of political repression under apartheid.

New Inquest Dockets Opened

The Hawks said the matter was formally referred to its Crimes Against the State (CATS) Unit in May 2021, even though there was no supporting case documentation. Investigators then reviewed and reconstructed the historical events linked to the activists’ disappearance.

That work has now led to three inquest case dockets being registered. The Hawks have also identified two persons of interest, aged between 72 and 87, in connection with the killings.

Case Back in the Gqeberha High Court

The matter appeared in the Gqeberha High Court on 23 January 2026. It was postponed to 20 February 2026 for further case management proceedings.

PE Express reported the breakthrough followed coordinated efforts between the Hawks, the National Prosecuting Authority, the Department of Justice and the Missing Persons Task Team.

‘Serious Crimes do not Prescribe’

Eastern Cape Hawks provincial head Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya said serious crimes do not prescribe with time and reaffirmed the unit’s commitment to pursue justice, no matter how many years have passed.