The long-awaited inquest into the brutal murder of prominent human rights lawyer Mlungisi Griffiths Mxenge returned to the Pietermaritzburg High Court today, more than four decades after his death at the hands of apartheid Security Branch operatives in November 1981.
The proceedings, which aim to establish the full circumstances surrounding Mxenge’s killing, have faced significant delays since first appearing in court on 14 April this year, primarily due to former Security Branch members seeking legal representation for the hearings.
A life cut short
Griffiths Mxenge was a fearless advocate who dedicated his career to defending anti-apartheid activists and challenging the racist legal system of the time. As a Black lawyer operating during the height of apartheid repression, he represented numerous political prisoners and activists, making him a target for the regime’s security apparatus.
His work brought him into direct conflict with the Security Branch, the apartheid government’s internal intelligence agency responsible for surveillance, detention, torture, and elimination of those deemed threats to white minority rule. Mxenge’s legal advocacy on behalf of political detainees and his efforts to expose Security Branch brutality marked him for elimination.
The lawyer’s death in November 1981 was part of a broader pattern of state-sponsored violence against activists, lawyers, and anyone who dared challenge the apartheid system. His murder sent shockwaves through the legal community and the broader anti-apartheid movement.
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Justice delayed
The inquest process has been marked by procedural delays, reflecting the complex legal challenges of prosecuting apartheid-era crimes decades later. When the matter first appeared in court in April, proceedings could not continue because former Security Branch members insisted on their right to legal representation.
The case was subsequently adjourned to June and again to today’s date to allow these individuals to apply for legal representation from their former employer, the South African Police Service (SAPS).
In a significant development, the court heard today that SAPS legal services have approved all applications for legal representation, with the matters now forwarded to the State Attorney for allocation.
The long road to truth
The inquest represents part of South Africa’s ongoing struggle to confront its apartheid past and deliver justice for victims of state violence. While the Truth and Reconciliation Commission provided a platform for revealing apartheid crimes in the 1990s, many cases like Mxenge’s have continued to wind through the courts.
The proceedings have been remanded to 27 November to allow for the presence of outstanding witnesses and legal representatives. The court has issued a directive to the State Attorney regarding the status of the allocation process.
“The purpose of the inquest is to enquire into the circumstances which led to Mxenge’s death,” said Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, NPA Regional Spokesperson.
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