The Truth and Reconciliation Commission refused amnesty to the notorious former police officer Gideon Nieuwoudt, for his role in the death of Steve Biko in 1977. In a seven page decision of the Amnesty Committee chairman Ronnie Pillay stated that Nieuwoudt had failed to demonstrate a political motivation for his actions, a requirement for amnesty. Nieuwoudt was one of five former security policemen who applied for amnesty in connection with Biko's death.
eventREF E-0013413Revised
11 January 1999
Amnesty application of Gideon Nieuwoudt fails
- Updated
- 30 Sep 2019
How we know this
- 01Wallis, F. (2000). Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar, Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau.
- 02Reuters, (2005), Gideon Nieuwoudt, Apartheid Enforcer, 54, Is Dead, from The New York Times, 20 August, [online], Available at www.nytimes.com [Accessed: 11 December 2013]
Last updated · 30 Sep 2019
South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Amnesty application of Gideon Nieuwoudt fails. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013413
South African History Online (2011) 'Amnesty application of Gideon Nieuwoudt fails', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013413 (Accessed: 12 October 2026).
South African History Online, Amnesty application of Gideon Nieuwoudt fails [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013413, (accessed 12 October 2026).
"Amnesty application of Gideon Nieuwoudt fails." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013413. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.
South African History Online. "Amnesty application of Gideon Nieuwoudt fails." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013413.
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