Apartheid victims can sue corporations that dealt with South Africa’s government before 1995, the Supreme Court said today. But the judges did not render a decision, as four of the nine recused themselves, likely due to personal stock holdings. The claims seek $400 billion from companies including Exxon, Citigroup, and GM.
The White House had urged the high court to quash the case. Said a South African lawyer, “It certainly shows that there is absolute merit in the claims that were filed against the corporations and we now look forward to this matter unfolding further.” (More South Africa stories.)