The Pretoria High Court, sitting in the Johannesburg High Court, has found former apartheid-era police officers Abraham Hercules Engelbrecht and Pieter Stander, guilty of the premeditated murder of student activist Caiphus Nyoka, a member of the Congress of South African Students.

Their former commanding officer, Major Leon Louis Van Den Berg, was acquitted of all charges.

The court heard that on the evening of 23 August 1987, the now 61 year old Engelbrecht and 60 year old Stander, who were members of the Reaction Unit of the South African Police Service at the time, planned Nyoka’s killing.

It was said that in the early hours of 24 August, at about 02h30, the pair and other unit members arrived at Nyoka’s family home and forced their way into his room, where he was asleep with three friends.

After identifying Nyoka, his friends were ordered out and the student was shot nine times. He died at the scene as a result of multiple gunshot wounds.

During the trial, the state led the evidence of five witnesses, including Nyoka’s sisters Alegria and Mothasi, survivor Gugulakhe Exodus Nyokane, Truth and Reconciliation Commission researcher Dr Rousseau, and investigating officer Lieutenant Colonel Beukman.

The National Prosecuting Authority’s Gauteng Regional Spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, says the pair pleaded not guilty to the charges in court and opted to remain silent.

After the state closed its case, defence applications for discharge were dismissed, and the accused elected not to present evidence.

In handing down judgment, Mahanjana says the court found the state had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt against Engelbrecht and Stander.

“The NPA welcomes the judgment where the two were found guilty. However, the state will study the judgment in respect of the acquittal of Louis Van Den Berg.”

The matter returns to court on 11 December 2025 for a bail application pending sentencing. Engelbrecht and Stander remain in custody.

“This court outcome is encouraging as this is a right step towards providing justice for the Nyoka family.” said Mahanjana