South Africa's Sharpeville massacre survivors start legal fight for justice and compensation - BBC News

At least 69 people were shot dead in 1960 but no-one has been prosecuted and victims want restitution.

Image caption, Abraham Mofokeng was 20 when he joined a peaceful protest in Sharpeville

Abraham Mofokeng still carries the wounds of the bloody suppression of a protest in South Africa 66 years ago. In what became known as the Sharpeville massacre, police infamously opened fire on thousands of peaceful demonstrators.

A bullet is still lodged in Mofokeng's spine, and he has a gentle limp from a gunshot to the leg.

"We weren't seen as people," the 86-year-old tells the BBC as he explains the reasons he joined the demonstration on 21 March 1960 against the repressive laws of the white-minority government.

"All you were good for was working. You couldn't question them, you were supposed to just do as you're told."