INQUEST INTO THE DEATH OF STEVE BIKO POSTPONED FOR CASE MANAGEMENT

12 November 2025

INQUEST INTO THE DEATH OF STEVE BIKO POSTPONED FOR CASE MANAGEMENT

The now re-opened inquest into the death of anti-apartheid activist and Black Consciousness Movement (BCM) founder and leader, Stephen Bantu Biko, who died 48 years ago, has been adjourned to 30 January 2026 for further case management and finalisation of legal funding for the two persons of interest. The prosecution has informed the court that there are two persons of interest in the matter who are still alive.

The two former police officers have applied for the state to fund their legal representatives, which has to be confirmed before the inquest proceeds. Biko died on 12 September 1977 after he was allegedly tortured to death by the apartheid regime's notorious Special Branch, who were never prosecuted because they were cleared by a whitewash inquest. They were also not granted amnesty by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission after the dispensation of the democratic government in South Africa. Meanwhile, the inquest into the killing of five children by the South African Defence Force in 1993 was postponed by the High Court of South Africa, Eastern Cape Division, Mthatha, to 24 November 2025, also for case management.

The inquests follow the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development’s approval of the National Director of Public Prosecutions’ requests. The main goal of holding them is to lay before the court evidence that will enable the court to make a finding in terms of section 16(2) (d) of the Inquests Act 58 of 1959, as to whether the death was brought about by any act, or omission, which prima facie involves or amounts, to an offence on the part of any person. The NPA and its partners will continue their efforts to address the atrocities of the past and assist in providing closure to the families of the deceased and society at large.

Issued by:

Luxolo Tyali

NPA Regional Spokesperson

Eastern Cape Division

Tel: 047 501 2630

Cell: 073 555 9292

Email: ltyali@npa.gov.za