A South African court has overturned a 1967 inquest into the death of former African National Congress (ANC) president Chief Albert Luthuli, concluding that he was murdered by apartheid police officers.
The judgment by the KwaZulu-Natal High Court, delivered by Judge Nompumelelo Radebe, found that Luthuli died from a fractured skull, cerebral haemorrhage and brain concussion consistent with blunt force trauma – contradicting the original claim that he was struck by a goods train.
“It is found that the deceased died as a result of a fractured skull, cerebral haemorrhage and concussion of the brain associated with an assault,” Nompumelelo said.
The ruling followed the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)’s decision to reopen the case in April, drawing on newly uncovered forensic evidence, crime scene reconstruction and testimonies from investigators, family members and witnesses.
Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development chairperson Xola Nqola welcomed the judgment, describing it as “an important victory for truth and justice” and a critical step in addressing unresolved Truth and Reconciliation Commission matters.
“This ruling represents a bittersweet victory,” Nqola said.
“We call on the NPA to continue expediting these cases to ensure that families and victims of apartheid-era crimes receive the justice and closure they deserve.”
Luthuli, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and one of South Africa’s most revered anti-apartheid leaders, served as ANC president from 1952 until his death in 1967.
A staunch advocate of nonviolent resistance, Luthuli was instrumental in mobilising national and international opposition to apartheid.
His suspicious death near the Umvoti River Bridge in Groutville had long been a source of controversy, with the apartheid-era inquest attributing it to a train accident despite widespread scepticism.
JN/APA