The parliamentary chairperson for the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development on Friday urged the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to continue to expedite cases relating to apartheid-era crimes to ensure that victims and their families receive justice and closure.

This comes after the KwaZulu-Natal High Court set aside the 1967 inquest finding into the death of Chief Albert Luthuli.

The court ruled that Luthuli was beaten to death, overturning the apartheid-era inquest that concluded he had been struck by a goods train.

Judge Nompumelelo Radebe found that Luthuli died because of a fractured skull, cerebral haemorrhage and brain concussion associated with assault – confirming that he was killed by Apartheid police.

Committee chairperson Xola Nqola applauded the NPA for reopening the inquest into his death.

“This ruling represents a bittersweet victory. Since the inception of the seventh Parliament, the committee has made it its mission to follow up on outstanding Truth and Reconciliation Commission matters,” said Nqola.

The committee noted and welcomed the extensive new evidence presented, including expert analysis on crime scene management and reconstruction, medical and forensic evidence, as well as testimonies from South African Police Services and Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation investigators, and Luthuli’s friends and family.

“…this collective effort has secured an important victory for truth and justice in our country,” he said.