NPA TO REOPEN THE INQUEST INTO THE 1985 KILLING OF ANTI-APARTHEID ACTIVIST BOOI MANTYI
17 NOVEMBER 2025
NPA TO REOPEN THE INQUEST INTO THE 1985 KILLING OF ANTI-APARTHEID ACTIVIST BOOI MANTYI
Kimberley, Northern Cape – The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Northern Cape Division, announces the reopening of the inquest into the death of Booi Mantyi, an anti-apartheid activist and President of the De Aar Residents’ Association. The matter will be enrolled for case management in the High Court of South Africa, Northern Cape Division, sitting in Kimberley, on 18 November 2025. Thereafter, a date will be determined for the hearing of the inquest, which is scheduled to take place in De Aar.
The reopening of the inquest follows the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development’s approval of the National Director of Public Prosecutions’ request, which was supported by the legal representative(s) of the Mantyi family.
On 16 June 1985, during the commemoration of the Soweto uprising of 16 June 1976, Booi Mantyi was fatally shot by the South African police in De Aar, Northern Cape. It was alleged that he was part of a group who were rioting and pelting the police with stones, and that the police acted in self-defense. The police used a shotgun and live ammunition to shoot Mantyi. When they arrived at the local hospital hours after the shooting, Mantyi was declared dead.
The cause of Mantyi’s death was recorded as multiple invasive wounds penetrating the heart and lungs, and internal bleeding. An inquest held in 1985 consisted mainly of the evidence of the members of the South African Police (SAP), who indicated that they acted in self-defense. The Magistrate JLK Von Reiche accepted the version of the police members and found that no one could be held responsible for the death of Mantyi.
The main goal of reopening the inquest is to lay before the court new evidence that will enable the court to make a finding in terms of section 16(2)(d) of the Inquest 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, together with its partners, reaffirms its commitment to confronting the injustices of the past and to contributing towards healing and closure for the Mantyi family, other bereaved families, victims of past violations, and society at large.
Issued by:
Mojalefa Senokoatsane
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Northern Cape Division
073 423 3539