Justice Department to fund reopened Steve Biko inquest

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has announced it will fund the reopened inquest into the death of anti-apartheid activist and Black Consciousness Movement founder Steve Biko, which will take place at the Gqeberha High Court in the Eastern Cape. This decision comes after Legal Aid refused the family’s request for funding due to a means test, as Steve Biko’s wife’s income and asset value exceeded the criteria necessary for Legal Aid to fund the inquest. The inquest is scheduled to continue on Tuesday, with witnesses expected to testify.

Biko’s son, Nkosinathi, expressed his thoughts on the matter, stating that they spent the first half of the day dealing with resources. He emphasized that it was undignified for the family to be dealing with questions of resources at the beginning of the proceedings, as the judge rightly pointed out that there should never be a situation where, when proceedings are supposed to commence, the focus is on resources.

Nkosinathi expressed relief that his mother, Mrs. Biko, was not present during this conversation, as she bears no burden for the pursuit of justice for her husband's death.