PRETORIA — 1977 · Suspicious Death
The Death of Steve Biko in Detention
Steve Biko, founder of the anti-apartheid Black Consciousness Movement, was detained on 18 August 1977 at a roadblock near Grahamstown for allegedly breaching his banning order. Interrogated in Port Elizabeth, he was transferred to Pretoria with severe brain injuries and died in a prison hospital on 12 September 1977. A November 1977 inquest held no one responsible. In 1997 five former police officers applied to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for amnesty, which was refused. In 2003 the Justice Ministry announced there would be no prosecution, citing the statute of limitations and insufficient evidence.
- Date
- 1977
- Place
- Gauteng, South Africa, Pretoria, ZA
- Category
- Suspicious Death
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- -25.7460, 28.1880 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 18 August 1977Biko was detained near Grahamstown.
- 12 September 1977He died in a prison hospital in Pretoria.
- November 1977The inquest held no one responsible.
- 1998The Truth and Reconciliation Commission refused amnesty to five officers.
- October 2003The Justice Ministry announced there would be no prosecution.
Sources
- Wikipedia — Steve Biko en.wikipedia.org ↗
- Britannica — Steve Biko britannica.com ↗
- Overcoming Apartheid — The Death of Stephen Biko overcomingapartheid.msu.edu ↗
- Wikipedia
- Britannica
- Michigan State University – Overcoming Apartheid
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.