PAC wants Sobukwe’s apartheid-era death probed

The Pan African Congress (PAC) has asked the National Prosecuting Authority for an inquest into the apartheid-era death of the party’s founding president, Robert Sobukwe, reports TimesLIVE. ‘We have never accepted the narrative that Sobukwe died of natural causes, as we are convinced there is strong prima facie evidence that he died as a result of cumulative complications’, said PAC leader and Land Reform & Rural Development Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso. According to the party, these complications were caused by the systematic mental and physical torture, illegal incarceration and illegal medical procedures performed on Sobukwe. The party said Sobukwe suffered from poisoning and other forms of physical brutality from 1960 to 1978. Sobukwe, who died at age 53, was a struggle stalwart and political prisoner who fought against the apartheid regime. Nyhontso said the motivation for raising the matter was that it was in the public interest. ‘The Criminal Procedure Act contains provisions relevant to subsequent criminal investigations and prosecutions that may follow the findings of an inquest.' Nyhontso said he would start with briefing lawyers and seeking a court order to authorise the inquest.