The African National Congress (ANC) has expressed relief after the KwaZulu-Natal High Court confirmed that its former president-general, Chief Albert Luthuli, was killed by apartheid police officers.
While acknowledging that those responsible can no longer be brought to justice, the party said it is satisfied that the truth has finally come to light.
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On Thursday, the Pietermaritzburg High Court overturned the findings of the 1967 inquest, which falsely concluded that Luthuli died after being struck by a goods train. The court ruled instead that Luthuli was assaulted to death by apartheid police.
Judge Nompumelelo Hadebe also directed the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to investigate the disappearance of Mbhemu Mnyandu, a witness who reportedly saw a group of white men hitting Luthuli with a spade on the day of his death. Mnyandu was taken by police shortly afterwards and was never seen again.
Court Confirms Apartheid Regime’s Brutality
Before his death, Chief Albert Luthuli — who had received the Nobel Peace Prize and was personally visited by US Senator Robert F. Kennedy — had become a towering figure in both South African and international politics.
His prominence and underground involvement with the then-banned ANC made him a target of the apartheid government.
ANC KwaZulu-Natal convenor Jeff Radebe said the party had always believed that Luthuli was murdered because of his role in the liberation struggle.
“The apartheid regime was really a crime against humanity. All those cruel murders perpetrated against our leaders and our people, we need to know the actual truth and what transpired,” Radebe stated.
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Justice After Decades of Silence
During the ruling, Judge Hadebe noted that the individuals responsible for Luthuli’s murder could not be prosecuted, as most have either passed away or cannot be located.
Despite this, the ANC said the judgment marks an important step towards uncovering the truth about atrocities committed under apartheid.
The ruling not only clears decades of misinformation but also reinforces the ongoing importance of truth and accountability in South Africa’s democratic journey.
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