The death inquest into Black Consciousness Movement founder and anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko has been reopened and will be funded by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. The proceedings are being held at the Gqeberha High Court in the Eastern Cape.
This follows the Legal Aid Board’s decision not to approve the family’s request for funding after a means test found that Steve Biko’s wife’s income and asset value exceeded the criteria required for Legal Aid assistance.
The inquest resumed on Tuesday, with witnesses taking the stand.
“We spent the first half of the day dealing with resources. I would rather say nothing further, but I think there is something useful to be found in the judge’s words: There should never be a situation of this kind where, at the moment when we are supposed to commence with proceedings, we are dealing with a question of resources. It is undignified,” said Steve Biko’s son, Nkosinathi.
Image Credits :
Steve Biko Foundation
