Trial against apartheid officers linked to 1987 killing of student activist Caiphus Nyoka set to start

JOHANNESBURG - A trial against three former apartheid police officers for the alleged 1987 killing of student activist Caiphus Nyoka is expected to start on Monday morning.

This comes after ex-Security Branch member Johan Marais’s admission to having played a role in the murder.

Marais’ co-accused, Leon Louis van den Berg, Abram Engelbrecht and Pieter Stander will face trial in the Benoni Magistrates Court.

The matter has been set from this Monday until 6 December.

Nyoka, then a member of the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) was shot nine times, in what was then claimed to have been a shootout, but Marais has since admitted to having been a planned killing.

African National Congress (ANC) Gauteng spokesperson, Lesego Makhubele said its officials would attend proceedings.

“The ANC remains committed to supporting justice for apartheid-era atrocities and will stand in solidarity with the families of the victims.”