An inquiry into the passing of South African anti-apartheid hero Steve Biko has been reopened after 48 years. Biko, motivated by the imprisoned iconic leader Nelson Mandela, fought against apartheid in South Africa but succumbed to injuries inflicted by the police. He later gained global recognition, with singer Peter Gabriel dedicating his song ‘Biko’ to him in 1980, and Denzel Washington portraying him in the film Cry Freedom in 1987.
His son, Nkosinathi, expressed a desire for the truth to finally come out rather than seeking revenge, as the responsible policemen are now elderly. The family has long sought a new inquiry, as the original hearing found no one accountable for Biko’s demise. The current inquest was adjourned to allow for further witness testimonies.
Two of the five officers involved in Biko’s death are still alive, and the National Prosecuting Authority affirmed that they could face murder charges if substantial evidence surfaces. The NPA remains committed to addressing past apartheid injustices and providing closure to the Biko family and society.
Biko perished in 1977 after a brutal police assault, leading to a brain hemorrhage while in custody. The initial inquest ruling of no culpability sparked global outrage. Nelson Mandela regarded Biko as a crucial figure in the struggle for justice, emphasizing how the government resorted to eliminating him to sustain apartheid.
Nkosinathi vividly remembers his father’s tragic death at a young age and believes the police were responsible. Despite the officers’ denial of guilt during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, they were not granted immunity from prosecution. The Justice Minister’s directive to reopen the case underscores the government’s commitment to resolving politically motivated deaths from apartheid.
The apartheid era’s institutionalized racial segregation and oppression resulted in an estimated 21,000 deaths from political violence over 42 years. The Mirror strongly opposed apartheid, unlike many other British publications at the time, and actively advocated against it in its editorial content.
Various reasons, including “slipped on soap” and “suicide by hanging,” have been cited for deaths in police custody in South Africa, highlighting a pattern of suspicious incidents. The apparent attempt to portray Biko’s death as suicide was met with skepticism and accusations of a cover-up during subsequent inquiries.