Death in detention of Ahmed Timol

Ahmed Timol was born on the 3rd November 1941 in Breyten in current-day Mpumalanga. He grew up in Roodepoort and trained as a teacher. In 1964 he attended the funeral of Suliman 'Babla' Saloogee who had died in detention. This influenced him to join the liberation movement. He went for political training abroad in 1969. He was trained with Thabo Mbeki and Anne Nicholson. In February 1970 he returned to the country and went underground. He was arrested at a roadblock and 4 days later, on the 27th Oct 1971 he died at the hands of the security police at the infamous John Vorster Square. The initial inquest ruled that he had committed suicide by jumping from the 10th floor. After many years of struggle, his family managed to get the inquest re-opened, the initial finding reversed and currently there are 3 of the security police being pursued for their role in his death. On the 19th January 2016 the family handed over the Inquest records to the NPA. On the 26th June 2017 the Inquest started into the death of Ahmed Timol, headed by Judge Billy Mothle. On the 12th Oct 2017 the Inquest judge reversed the findings of the 1972 findings. Charges have been investigated against Joao Ridriques, Neville Els and Seth Sons. As of 28 Oct 2019, the case is proceeding. For further updates please check www.ahmedtimol.co.za