NPA says reopening inquests into apartheid-era crimes a complex process

DURBAN - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says reopening inquests into apartheid-era crimes is a complex process.

A fresh inquest into the death of former African National Congress (ANC) president-general, Chief Albert Luthuli is continuing for a second day in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) high court in Pietermaritzburg.

The NPA is disputing the apartheid government’s version that Luthuli died after being hit by a moving train.

On Monday, it was revealed in court that the renewed investigation into his death began in 2019.

The NPA's Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said bringing the matter to this stage was a collaborative effort between government departments.

"The NPA had to work very closely with the DPCI, the SAPS and TRC Unit. In the NPA, we have a TRC component that deals exclusively with TRC cases. So that had to be a collaboration between those people and very importantly, from the National Archives. Information had to be sourced from the archives. So it’s a mammoth task and we’re pleased to be here today [Tuesday]."

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