FAWU STATEMENT ON THE
START OF INQUEST REVIEW TRIAL OF NEIL AGGETT DEATH
20 January 2020
The Food and Allied Workers’ Union welcomes the long-awaited
inquest trial review that started today in the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg
on Dr. Neil Aggett’s untimely death on 5 February 1982 in his cell during
detention in the John Voster Square.
Dr. Aggett was a passionate trade unionist and anti-apartheid activist
who organised many workers into the African Food and Canning
Workers’ Union (now FAWU) during South Africa's apartheid era.
Along with his family, friends and fellow activists we
remain hopeful that we will get answers to some of the burning questions as to
what exactly transpired on the day that he passed away.
Reviewing the initial outcomes of similar investigations
referred by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission many years ago, is crucial
for affected families to find closure, especially in cases where the initial
findings were inconclusive or simply unconvincing. Many of those who knew Dr.
Aggett outright defied the outcome of his initial inquest that he had committed
suicide, and suspected foul play by the then security forces. Many
anti-apartheid activists in detention at the same time, reported that detainees
were routinely and relentlessly tortured at the John Vorster Square police station.
Like many others, FAWU (Food and Canning Workers’ Union) also held on to the
belief that apartheid security police was responsible for his untimely passing.
We will watch the trial, precided over by Judge Motsamai
Makume, closely over the next few weeks in the hope to get some answers to
questions that have been haunting us for decades. We strongly believe that there will be vindication for our beliefs that he was tortured to death by the apartheid security police.
Last year, family, friends and activists of victims gained renewed
fervour that similar cases would be reviewed in light of the outcome of the
Ahmed Timol investigation, in which the initial ruling was overturned. It is indeed sad that so many years have been wasted during which key witnesses has since
passed on before these actions were finally announced.
Released by FAWU Media
Desk -Dominique Martin at 082 498 5631. Please call Deputy General
Secretary, Mngomezulu Mayoyo, on 082 440 4039 for further enquiries.
