On the anniversary of his passing, an investigation into the circumstances of anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko’s death will be reopened.
The Justice Department announced on Friday morning that Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi ordered that the National Prosecuting Authority enrol the matter at the Gqeberha High Court.
Biko, a central figure in the Black Consciousness Movement, died in police custody on this day 48 years ago. The original 1977 inquest found no one criminally responsible, a finding that has long been “widely criticised as superficial and compromised by police cover-ups and judicial indifference”.
“Kubayi, has, in terms of section 17A(1) read with sections 6(a) and 6(d) of the Inquests Act, Act 58 of 1959, directed that the inquest into the death of the late Stephen ‘Steve’ Bantu Biko be re-opened,” said Terrence Manase, spokesperson to Minister Kubayi, in a statement.
He said the NPA will on Friday, 12 September, enrol the reopening of the inquest at the Gqeberha High Court.
The decision follows a formal request by the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv Shamila Batohi. Having considered the matter, Kubayi concluded that “it is in the interest of the efficient administration of justice that the inquest be re-opened”.
Biko co-founded the South African Students’ Organisation and later contributed to the establishment of the Black People’s Convention. He was repeatedly detained under apartheid laws before his death.
By reopening the case, Manase said the government pledges to uphold accountability and the rule of law.
“It is also significant that this announcement is being made on the day we commemorate the passing of Steve Biko,” added Manase.
