The family of anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko has welcomed the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) decision to reopen the inquest into his death, nearly 50 years later.
This comes after the justice and constitutional development minister approved the NPA’s request to reopen the case, with the support of the Biko family’s legal representatives.
The black consciousness movement leader died under mysterious circumstances while in police custody.
The inquest will be enrolled on Friday, exactly 48 years after Biko’s passing.
His son, Nkosinathi, said they had been aware that the NPA was working to open the inquest and were supportive of the investigation.
“We provided as much information needed from our archives. This matter goes back almost five decades and the family has accumulated documentation from the first inquest as well as the TRC process.
“We welcome the opening of the inquest because it is important for the matter to be closed correctly, the death of Biko was occasioned by the massive assault on his person which resulted in him dying.”
He said his father’s death was not an accident.
“He was in the company of policemen [which resulted in] the condition that led to his death. One would say that it is late but nevertheless very welcome,” Nkosinathi said.
“We hope that the NPA will ensure they have a compelling case to present in court.”
NPA regional spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said the main goal was to “lay before the court evidence that will enable the court to make a finding ... as to whether the death was brought about by any act, or omission, which prima facie involves or amounts, to an offence on the part of any person.”
One of Biko’s personal bodyguards when he visited his hometown Ginsburg in King William’s Town (Qonce), Lawrence Keyisi, 65, said his presence was felt in the community.
Keyisi dropped out of school after the 1976 school riots which led to him being one of Biko’s close guards.
“We called him Bra, no-one used his name. I used to wash his car and I’d ride along with him whenever he went to town.
“The regime at the time feared him and everyone knew him so he didn’t want to go alone.”
Keyisi was the first person to be arrested after Biko’s funeral as the community rioted against the apartheid police.
The youth at the time threw stones at the houses of police officers in Qonce.
He said Biko’s inquest was long overdue.
“I’m happy but I’m worried because a lot of people have died. A commission should have been done long ago because some of these guys have died while others have lost their memory and there’s nothing you can do about it.
“But we know that they killed him, we want to know who did it. I nearly died myself,” Keyisi said .
Biko was arrested with his comrade, Peter Jones, at a roadblock near Grahamstown (Makhanda) on August 18 1977.
He was taken to the Walmer police station in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), where he was allegedly tortured.
It was only after 24 days in custody that medical assistance was sought after “foam” was noted around his mouth.
On September 11 1977, he was loaded unconscious, naked and shackled, into the back of a police Land Rover and transported to a prison hospital in Pretoria, 1,200km away.
He died outside a Pretoria hospital on September 12 1977 at the age of 30.
During the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) sitting in 1997, former senior Special Branch officers from Gqeberha — Major Harold Snyman, Captain Daniel Siebert, Captain Jacobus Benecke, Warrant Officer Rubin Marx and Sergeant Gideon Nieuwoudt — applied for amnesty.
“Their version was that Biko had attacked one of their colleagues with a chair after he sat down without asking for permission,” Tyali said.
“In the ensuing scuffle to restrain him, Biko hit his head against the wall, they claimed.
“They admitted that they colluded and fabricated their versions, submitting false affidavits during the initial investigation into Biko’s death.”
Daily Dispatch
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