Accused No.13 Wellington Masiza

Wellington Masiza was one of the “Upington 14,” anti-apartheid activists tried under the apartheid-era “common purpose” law following the 1985 killing of municipal policeman Lucas Sethwala in Paballelo, Upington. Born in 1962, Masiza grew up in a large family under difficult circumstances and left school after Standard Eight due to financial constraints. He worked in labour-intensive jobs, including for the Upington municipality and BP, before being dismissed during the political unrest.

During the trial, the court found Masiza guilty of murder under the doctrine of “common purpose,” based on his alleged participation in stoning a house and involvement in the attack on Sethwala’s body. Sentenced to death in 1989, his sentence was later overturned. Masiza’s story reflects both the socio-economic hardships faced by Black South Africans and the systemic repression of anti-apartheid activists under apartheid law.