JOHANNESBURG, South Africa— The South African government has reopened the inquest into the 1977 death of Steve Biko, a prominent anti-apartheid activist, as part of an effort to uncover the truth behind the circumstances of his demise.
Biko, who was a leader of the Black Consciousness Movement, was arrested in Eastern Cape for violating a ban on his movements and detained in Port Elizabeth, now known as Gqeberha.
During his 24 days in custody, the authorities provided minimal medical care despite his evident condition, which reportedly included foam around his mouth.
He was eventually transported, unconscious, in the back of a police Land Rover, still naked and shackled, to a prison hospital in Pretoria, where he died on September 12, 1977, at just 30 years old.
At the time, police claimed that Biko’s death was an accident, stating he had suffered head injuries after banging against the wall of his cell.
However, this explanation has long been met with skepticism, leading many to believe he was tortured and murdered. An explosive testimony during the 1977 inquest shocked attendees, with police actions drawing gasps and whistles from black spectators.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesman, Luxolo Tyali, emphasized the reopening of the inquest was aimed at addressing past atrocities and providing closure for the family and society.
The 1997 Truth and Reconciliation Commission, set up by then-President Nelson Mandela, sought to investigate such human rights abuses, but criticisms have since arisen regarding whether true justice was achieved or if it favored reconciliation over accountability.
Biko’s case has remained a painful reminder of the brutal methods employed during the apartheid era and the ongoing struggle for justice in South Africa.
Now, as the country marks the 48th anniversary of Biko’s death, there is renewed hope that the truth will finally emerge about the events in “room 619” of the Port Elizabeth police station.
image source from：npr
