Former Policeman Convicted For Apartheid-Era Murder

On Tuesday, a court in Pretoria found former South African policeman Johan Marais, 65, guilty of the murder of Caiphus Nyoka, a young anti-apartheid activist.

The killing, which occurred almost three decades ago in a township east of Johannesburg, was part of a larger investigation conducted by South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission established in 1996 to address crimes committed during apartheid.

The Policeman Guilty Plea

Marais pleaded guilty to the killing of Nyoka. Reports indicate that he admitted his guilt five years ago after waking from a coma following a suicide attempt. Nyoka, a prominent student activist, was involved with the Congress of South African Students, the South African Youth Congress, and served as the president of the Student Representative Council at his high school.

On August 23, 1987, Marais, along with security officials and police, conspired to assassinate Nyoka. A plan was devised under the direction of then-commanding officer Major Leon Louis van den Berg, who also faces charges in this case.

In the early hours of the following day, Marais and several officers, who are also charged, raided Nyoka’s home. They removed Nyoka’s three friends from the room before shooting him nine times, resulting in his death from multiple gunshot wounds.

Ongoing Legal Proceedings

The sentencing for Marais has yet to be determined. The trial of three other individuals involved in the incident is scheduled to commence next week and will continue until December 6.

The prosecutor’s office emphasized the significance of this conviction, particularly for the victim’s family, in terms of achieving justice and closure. They acknowledged the challenges in prosecuting cases dating back several decades due to the scarcity of evidence and witnesses.

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