Crimes against humanity charges have been included in an indictment in South Africa for the first time.

In the case, two men have been charged with apartheid-era murders and kidnapping in a case known as the Cosas Four.

The Foundation for Human Rights said in a statement, "For the first time, crimes against humanity charges have been included in an indictment in South Africa. Significantly, apartheid as a crime against humanity is included in the revised indictment against the accused in the Cosas four [case]."

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane confirmed the move.

The four Cosas members, Eustice "Bimbo" Madikela, Ntshingo Mataboge, Fanyana Nhlapo and Zandisile Musi, were lured by the Security Branch to a pumphouse near Krugersdorp on 15 February 1982.  

According to the foundation, police had rigged the pumphouse with explosives which they detonated once the four members were inside.  

Madikela, Mataboge and Nhlapo were killed, and Musi was seriously injured.

"A provisional indictment was served on Tlomedi Ephraim Mfalapitsa and Christiaan Sebert Rorich when they appeared in the [Gauteng] High Court, Johannesburg on Friday, 19 November 2021."

The matter was postponed to 1 December for the outcome of Rorich's application for State-funded legal representation. 

The Foundation for Human Rights hopes the trial will take place in the first term of 2022.