Balton subpoenaed over two ANC MK members’ deaths in 1989

The Executive Director of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation (AKF), Neeshan Balton has been subpoenaed to appear before the Randburg Magistrates Court on Friday to answer questions relating to the deaths of two African National Congress (ANC) members of the uMkhonto we Sizwe.

Prakash Napier and Yusuf Akhalwaya were killed on the 11th of December 1989 in a limpet mine explosion at Park Station in Johannesburg.

Balton is being questioned because of his role as the underground political commander of the Ahmed Kathrada Political Military Committee in the 1980s.

According to a statement released by AKF Balton has been in communication with the Hawks for the past two years regarding the investigation into the deaths of the two members.

A board member of the foundation, Rashid Seedat says, “He was not involved in the sense that he was directly involved in the operation but had an overall, overarching role as the overall commander.

“So, the investigation has been going on for two years and there have been several occasions where the investigating officer has asked him questions in writing, to which he has responded and has submitted that accordingly. It’s now come to the point where the investigating officer is saying that the responses are inadequate.”

[STATEMENT] Ahmed Kathrada Foundation’s Executive Director, @Neeshanb1, talks about his subpoena by the Hawks to appear before the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on 6 December 2024. This is to answer questions relating to the deaths of two Lenasia-based ANC members of Umkhonto we… pic.twitter.com/QvmmejjhK5

— Kathrada Foundation (@KathradaFound) December 5, 2024