Slain activist's family still fights for justice 40 years after brutal police killing

Victim's loved ones join forces with human rights group

- By Tshwarelo eseng Mogakane

The family of the late anti-apartheid activist Peter Nchabeleng in Limpopo has renewed calls for justice nearly 40 years after his brutal death in police custody, adding to the growing pressure on the government to resolve apartheid-era murder cases that remain unresolved decades into democratic rule.

Nchabeleng, a towering figure in the liberation movement, died on April 11, 1986, after being severely beaten by officers of the then Lebowa Police while in custody. The beatings were carried out in cooperation with apartheid special branch agents. He was 58 years old.

Nchabeleng's son Mpho, who has published a biography about him titled The Lion of the North: Peter Nchabeleng, His Family and the National Liberation Struggle in South Africa, said his family wants to see the culprits responsible for his father's death unmasked and brought to book.

What disturbed him the most, he said, was discovering that the nine police officers implicated in his father's death were merely charged with culpable homicide, and each fined just R500 by apartheid courts. "It's been nearly 40 years, and only three of those officers are still alive. We want them to face proper prosecution," said the 62-year-old author.

He said the case had been passed through three different investigation teams over the years, leading to repeated delays. However, he expressed confidence in the current Hawks-led probe. "The current team has done a great job and has been keeping us informed. We understand there were complications that the NPA needed to resolve. We hope that is now behind us so that justice can finally be served."