Judge denies postponement of Steve Biko inquest
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On 24 August 2026, the Gqeberha High Court resumed the reopened inquest into the 1977 death of anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko. KwaZulu-Natal Deputy Judge President Isaac Madondo dismissed a request by the Biko family to postpone the proceedings, citing the urgent need to obtain oral testimony from the only two surviving witnesses out of eight. Nkosinathi Biko, the activist's son, expressed concerns regarding the state's readiness, issues with legal representation, and the exclusion of specific witnesses from the court's list.
Consequences
The inquest is scheduled to proceed on 27 August 2026 with the first witness testimony. The family's expressed desire for the recusal of Judge Madondo may lead to further procedural challenges regarding the court's composition.
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