Biko Family Embraces Postponement of Inquest With Heavy Hearts

The Biko family has expressed mixed emotions following a Gqeberha High Court ruling that indefinitely postpones the reopened inquest into the death of anti-apartheid leader Steve Biko. While they welcome the decision, they do so with deep concern over the ongoing delays in the pursuit of justice.

Judge Jannie Eksteen granted the family's urgent application for postponement on Wednesday, a move that follows a previous setback when their request was dismissed by Judge Isaac Madondo on August 26. The family's legal representative, Ngqiqo Sakhela, argued for more time to sift through extensive historical records and documents, some of which date back to the original 1977 inquest and are in Afrikaans.

“We are very concerned about delays to a matter of this nature. But we are also concerned about having a performative process,” said Nkosinathi Biko, Steve Biko's eldest son. The family aims to ensure that the investigation is thorough, especially given the gaps in evidence that have emerged during the reopened inquest, including the deaths of key witnesses.

Rethinking the Evidence

The reopened inquest has revealed inconsistencies in the initial findings regarding Biko's death. Forensic pathologist Dr. Shakeera Holland testified that the severe injuries documented in Biko’s original autopsy likely occurred at different times, contradicting the police's claim of a singular incident during interrogation. Furthermore, former Security Branch officers have provided testimonies that raise additional questions about Biko’s treatment while in custody.

A Call for Thoroughness

As the family seeks to strengthen the case, they have initiated efforts to reconstruct evidence and investigate further, including working with institutions like the SABC for archival materials. Nkosinathi highlighted that the surviving officers’ testimonies must be scrutinized against their earlier statements. He emphasized that the family's goal is not merely to expedite the process but to ensure a rigorous pursuit of truth.

With the 49th anniversary of Steve Biko's death approaching, the family plans to commemorate his life with events, including a wreath-laying ceremony and a memorial lecture. Nkosinathi noted, “Legacies live when they live in people’s hearts. So for us, that is very meaningful.”

Source: www.dailymaverick.co.za