Steve Biko inquest in Gqeberha rescued after funding crisis
The inquest into the 1977 death of anti-apartheid activist Stephen 'Steve' Bantu Biko was almost jeopardized when Legal Aid South Africa rejected his family's request for legal representation funding. The reopened inquest, which began on Monday, 24 August 2026, in the Gqeberha High Court, was delayed by this funding dispute. The Department of Justice intervened to cover the costs, ensuring the continuation of the case. Biko's son, Nkosinathi, expressed relief at the Justice Department's assistance, noting the family's distress over the resource issue. Biko, founder of the Black Consciousness Movement, died in September 1977 after being tortured in police custody. The original inquest controversially found no one responsible. The National Prosecuting Authority reopened the inquiry in September 2025, identifying two surviving former police officers as persons of interest. The reopened inquest will re-examine the circumstances of Biko's detention, interrogation, and fatal injuries to establish responsibility. Biko's death became a symbol of apartheid-era brutality. He was arrested on 18 August 1977, accused of violating banning orders, and allegedly tortured at Walmer Police Station in Port Elizabeth. He died on 12 September 1977, aged 30, from extensive brain injury. The current inquiry aims to address unresolved questions and establish criminal liability nearly five decades later.