Justice Department to fund reopened Steve Biko inquest

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development says it will be funding the reopened inquest into anti-apartheid activist and Black Consciousness Movement founder Steve Biko’ s death, held at the Gqeberha High Court in the Eastern Cape.

This follows Legal Aid not approving the family’s request for funding due to a means test that revealed that Steve Biko’s wife’s income and asset value exceeded the criteria that was required for Legal Aid to be able to fund the inquest.

The inquest is expected to continue on Tuesday with witnesses taking the stand.

Biko’s son Nkosinathi, “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. I am glad Mrs Biko was not here; I deliberately kept her away from that kind of conversation. She bears no burden for the attainment of justice for the death of her husband.”