Inquest into Steve Biko’s death postponed to November 12

The long-awaited inquest into the death of anti-apartheid icon Steve Biko has been postponed to November 12, 2025, for case management proceedings in the Gqeberha High Court. The decision was made during a court session on September 12, 2025, delaying the presentation of evidence intended to determine whether Biko’s death resulted from any individual’s failure to prevent it. This development comes nearly 48 years after Biko’s tragic passing, reigniting discussions on accountability for one of apartheid’s most notorious cases.

Biko, a founding figure of the Black Consciousness Movement, died on September 25, 1977, while in police custody after enduring a month of solitary confinement and alleged brutal interrogation. His death, officially attributed to a hunger strike at the time, was later revealed through international scrutiny to have been caused by severe head injuries sustained during detention. The 1977 inquest ruled it an accident, but persistent calls for a fresh inquiry culminated in the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) announcing the reopening in 2022, amid growing pressure for historical justice.

The current inquest seeks to re-examine forensic evidence, witness testimonies, and archival documents to clarify the circumstances surrounding Biko’s fatal injuries. Authorities have identified two persons of interest who are still alive, though their names have not been publicly disclosed. This renewed probe underscores South Africa’s ongoing efforts to confront its apartheid-era legacies through truth and reconciliation processes, with implications for broader human rights accountability.

Eastern Cape NPA spokesperson Luxolo Tyali confirmed the postponement in a statement, saying, “The inquest into the death of Steve Biko, which has been enrolled in the Gqeberha High Court, has now been postponed to the 12th of November for case management.” Tyali emphasized that the delay is procedural, aimed at ensuring all parties are adequately prepared for the substantive hearings. The NPA has committed to transparency throughout the process, inviting public input on relevant evidence.

As the nation marks the anniversary of Biko’s death later this month, the postponement has drawn mixed reactions from activists and historians, who view it as both a necessary step for thoroughness and a reminder of unresolved injustices. Biko’s legacy as a symbol of black empowerment continues to inspire, with his funeral in 1977 drawing thousands in a powerful display of resistance. The November date now sets the stage for what could be a pivotal moment in South Africa’s quest for closure on this dark chapter.