Detaining and imprisoning those who went against the Apartheid state was one of the many weapons that the government used to quell resistance. As detention was a legal weapon that could see an individual, a group or even an entire community silenced it became more commonly used. As a result deaths in detention particularly during interrogation became more common. From Solwandle Looksmart Ngudle on 3 September 1963 to Alfred Mabake Makaleng on 26 August 1988 there were 67 acknowledged deaths.
Year |
Name |
Date died |
Age |
Place |
Days held |
Official/alleged cause |
1963 |
1. Ngudle, Solwandle |
05/09 |
41 |
Kompol, Pretoria |
17 |
Suicide by hanging |
1964 |
3. Tyita, James |
24/01 |
? |
Port Elizabeth |
? |
Suicide by hanging |
1965 |
5. Gaga, Ngeni |
09/05 |
19 |
Transkei |
<1 |
Natural causes |
1966 |
7. Hamakwayo, James |
09/10 |
? |
Pretoria Prison |
13 |
Suicide by hanging |
1967 |
10. Yan, Ah |
05/01 |
63 |
Silverton Police Sta. |
37 |
|
1968 |
12. Tubukwa, Jundea |
11/09 |
? |
Pretoria Prison |
1 |
|
1969 |
14. Kgoathe, Nicodemus 15. Modipane, Solomon 16. Lenkoe, James |
04/02 28/02 10/03 |
? ? ? |
Held: Silverton Police Sta. |
85 3 5 |
|
1971 |
21. Cuthsela, Mthayeni 22. Timol, Ahmed |
21/01 27/10 |
? 30 |
Held: Pondoland |
40 5 |
|
1976 |
23. Mdluli, Joseph 28. Mogatusi, Fenuel |
19/03 28/09 |
50 22 |
Security HQ, Durban |
<1 70 |
|
1977 |
36. Ndzanga, Lawrence 39. Mabelane, Mathews 42. Khoza, Aaron 45. Haffejee, Hoosen (Dr) 46. Mzizi, Bayempin 47. Biko, Steve 48. Malaza, Sipho |
08/01 15/02 26/03 03/08 13/08 12/09 16/11 |
53 23 35 26 62 31 18 |
Johannesburg Fort |
51 25 106 1 35 24 138 |
|
1978 |
49. Tabalaza, Lungile |
10/07 |
19 |
Sanlam Building, Port Elizabeth |
<1 |
|
1980 |
50. Ndzumo, Saul |
10/09 |
58 |
Umtata, Transkei |
9 |
|
1981 |
51. Mgqweto, Manana |
17/09 |
60 |
Engcobo, Transkei |
? |
|
1982 |
53. Aggett, Neil (Dr) |
05/02 |
28 |
John Vorster Sq., Jhb |
70 |
|
1983 |
55. Mndawe, Simon |
08/03 |
23 |
Nelspruit Prison |
14 |
|
1984 |
57. Tshikudo, Samuel 58. Sipele, Mxolisi |
20/01 ??/06 |
50 ? |
Held: Venda |
77 150 |
|
1985 |
60. Raditsela, Andries |
06/05 |
29 |
Baragwanath Hospital |
2 |
|
1986 |
62. Kutumela, Makompe |
05/04 |
25 |
Lebowa |
1 |
|
1987 |
66. Mashoke, Benedict |
26/03 |
20 |
Burgersfort Police Sta. |
215 |
|
1988 |
69. Zokwe, Sithembele |
12/01 |
36 |
Butterworth, Transkei |
1 |
|
1990 |
71. Sithole, Clayton Sizwe |
30/01 |
20 |
John Vorster Sq., Jhb |
4 |