Timol family appeals to NPA to act on inquest findings
18 January 2018
After waiting 46 years for the state to acknowledge that anti-apartheid activist Ahmed Timol was murdered by police, Timol’s family has appealed to the National Prosecutions Authority to act without further delay against former policemen identified by the North Gauteng High Court as playing a role in the cover-up.
Three months ago, Judge Billy Mothle reversed an apartheid inquest court’s ruling that Timol committed suicide after being detained by police in October 1971, replacing it with a finding of murder. While many of the security policemen directly associated with Timol’s arrest and murder have since passed away, Judge Mothle recommended that three former members face charges. Joao Rodrigues (80) should be charged as an accessory to murder, and Seth Sons and Neville Els (both 82) for perjury, Judge Mothle ruled.
“As a family, we have run a long, painful and exhausting race to see justice done,” said Timol’s nephew, Mr Imtiaz Ahmed Cajee.
“The state agreeing to re-open the inquest last year was a major milestone, and Judge Mothle’s finding of murder was another. Prosecutorial delays would totally undermine these processes.