Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 25-07-2017
Former minister in the presidency Essop Pahad has told the High Court in Pretoria that struggle stalwart Ahmed Timol would never have committed suicide because he was a Muslim.
Pahad was testifying during the second leg of the re-opened inquest into the death of Timol in 1971.
Timol’s death 46 years ago was ruled as suicide by jumping out of the 10th floor of John Vorster Square, currently known as the Johannesburg Central police station.
Timol’s family insists the anti-apartheid activist was murdered, and did not commit suicide as claimed at the time.
Pahad says Timol who was a close friend never wanted to die and loved life.
“Ahmed Timol himself was a Muslim, brought up as a Muslim and his parent were very pious religious people and a Muslim in terms of Islamic ethics, should not and cannot commit suicide.”
He says while in exile in London, Timol had fallen deeply in love with Ruth Longoni who remained in London when Timol returned to South Africa.
“She could not join him because of the immorality act in South Africa, but Ruth always thought that at some point Timol would come back to her and therefore the idea that Timol would commit suicide for me just doesn’t seem plausible at all.”
Pahad says the claim that the South African Communist Party (SACP) document that implored its comrades to rather commit suicide than betray the organization is a fabrication by the security branch.
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