By Charmaine Ndlela
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is expected to reopen the inquest into the death of anti-apartheid activist and Black Consciousness Movement (BCM) founder, Steve Biko, whose death after alleged torture by the apartheid authorities drew worldwide condemnation.
The decision follows the approval by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development of a request from the National Director of Public Prosecutions, which was supported by the Biko family’s legal representatives.
NPA spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said on Wednesday that the aim of the inquest is to present evidence that will enable the court, in terms of section 16(2)(d) of the Inquests Act of 1959, to determine whether Biko’s death resulted from any act or omission that amounts to an offence by any person.
Biko died on 12 September 1977 at the age of 30.
He had been arrested with his comrade, Peter Jones, at a roadblock near Grahamstown (now
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