Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 01-06-2017
After 45 years the time may eventually have arrived for the family of anti-apartheid activist Ahmed Timol to find out the truth on how he died after he was taken into custody by security police more than four decades ago.
The Judge President of the South Gauteng High Court has appointed Judge Billy Mothle to oversee the re-opening of the inquest into the death of the anti-apartheid activist.
Timol, a teacher and member of the SA Communist Party (SACP) died, allegedly at the hands of security police at John Vorster Square in Joburg on the 22 October 1971.
Days of alleged torture and threats culminated in an incident where Timol was seemingly thrown from a 10th floor window.
Speaking to Radio Islam Timols nephew Imtiaz Cajee says the objective of the inquest is to get the findings of 1972 reversed.
“Magistrate de [JJL] deVilliers concluded my uncle had committed suicide and that nobody was responsible for his death and the family had never believed that version and hence our application to the NPA was to get the inquest reopened where we can provide a compelling case to an impartial judge where we will provide circumstances that my uncle was brutally tortured and did not commit suicide.”
Cajee says while the family is looking for closure they are also seeking answers about why he died.
“Many people have sacrificed and lost their lives in the struggle for liberation in this country and people are looking for closure in different forms. In our case we are looking for answers, we have a qabr (grave) to go to, Uncle Ahmed was given a dignified funeral and a janaza.”
Earlier this year the City of Johannesburg issued notice of its proposal to rename Mare Street in Roodepoort to Ahmed Timol Street.
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