Steve Biko inquest halted

<span>Steve Biko inquest halted</span> <span><span>Nokuthula Khanyile</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-09-09T10:55:00+02:00" title="Wednesday, September 9, 2026 - 10:55">Wed, 09/09/2026 - 10:55</time> </span>

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<div class="text-long"><p>GQEBERHA - The inquest into the death of late Black Consciousness Movement leader Steve Biko has been temporarily halted.</p><p>Biko’s family brought an urgent application in the Gqeberha High Court to suspend the inquest, saying they needed more time to properly prepare their case.</p><p>The family says hundreds of documents still need to be scrutinised, with some requiring translation from Afrikaans.</p><blockquote><p><span><strong>READ | </strong></span><a href="https://www.enca.com/news/biko-family-files-papers-halt-inquest-anti-apartheid-activists-death"><span><strong>Biko family files papers to halt inquest into anti-apartheid activist's death</strong></span></a></p></blockquote><p>The application follows a request by the Biko family’s lawyers to postpone the inquiry, which Judge Isaac Madondo previously denied. The family’s lawyer, Ngqiqo Sakhela, has previously said the inquiry was being conducted haphazardly.</p><p>Meanwhile, Jacobus Beneke testified on Tuesday that there was no intention to kill Biko while he was in the room where Security Branch police were assaulting the anti-apartheid activist.</p><p>Beneke is the second person of interest to testify in the inquest. He was a member of the notorious Security Branch, which was responsible for brutal attacks on activists opposed to apartheid.</p><p>Beneke said he was present when Biko was assaulted on 6 September 1977, but denied any involvement in his murder.</p><p><strong>Read more: </strong><a href="https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories-videos/biko-inquest-hears-chilling-account-room-619-interrogation"><strong>Biko inquest hears chilling account of Room 619 interrogation</strong></a></p></div>

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