An investigation into the passing of South African anti-apartheid hero Steve Biko was reopened exactly 48 years after his demise. Biko, who was influenced by the imprisoned iconic leader Nelson Mandela, spearheaded the fight against South Africa’s apartheid regime but succumbed to severe injuries inflicted by the Police. He later gained global recognition. Singer Peter Gabriel honored him with the song ‘Biko’ in 1980, and in 1987, Hollywood star Denzel Washington portrayed him in the movie Cry Freedom.
Biko’s son Nkosinathi expressed a desire for the complete truth to emerge rather than seeking revenge, as the involved policemen are now elderly. The family has long sought a reinvestigation into Biko’s death, challenging the initial inquest’s ruling that absolved anyone of responsibility.
The ongoing inquest has been adjourned to allow for further witness testimonies. The Mirror previously interviewed Biko’s son in 2017 and his partner Mamphela Ramphele in 2013, who was pregnant with his child at the time of his death. Two of the five officers implicated in Biko’s death are still alive, with potential prosecution for murder if substantial evidence surfaces.
The National Prosecuting Authority emphasized that there is no time limit for prosecuting murder cases, signaling a commitment to justice even decades later. Biko passed away in 1977 following a brutal encounter with the police, leading to a public outcry when the initial inquest deemed no one accountable for his demise.
Mandela, who later became South Africa’s President, hailed Biko as a crucial figure in the fight for black rights, attributing his death to apartheid’s desperation to silence him. Biko’s son vividly remembers the day his father died and the emotional toll it took on his family. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, led by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, failed to elicit admissions of guilt from the five policemen involved in the incident.
The government’s decision to reopen the case reflects a commitment to accountability and addressing unresolved politically motivated deaths from the apartheid era. The Mirror’s strong stance against apartheid contrasts with other British publications of the time, advocating for justice in cases like Biko’s.
The apartheid regime’s oppressive policies led to thousands of deaths through political violence, with lingering scars on South Africa’s history. The Mirror’s critical coverage of Biko’s death underscores the importance of seeking truth and accountability, despite attempts to distort the facts during past investigations.