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The family of Chief Albert Luthuli has expressed renewed hope for justice and closure as a formal inquest into the anti-apartheid leader’s death was reopened this week. Long believed to have died in a tragic train accident in 1967, new findings suggest Luthuli may have been murdered by apartheid security agents.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed the launch of the inquest following growing pressure from human rights organisations and fresh testimonies that challenge the original version of events. According to court documents and investigative reporting, evidence points to a possible state-sanctioned killing masked as an accident near his home in KwaDukuza, KwaZulu-Natal.
Luthuli, the first African to win the Nobel Peace Prize and a former president of the African National Congress (ANC), was a towering figure in South Africa’s liberation struggle. For decades, activists and family members questioned the circumstances of his sudden death.
“This inquest is not just about our family’s peace, it’s about historical accountability,” said a family spokesperson. “We are confident that this process will uncover the truth.”
The NPA acknowledged the complexity of reopening apartheid-era cases, citing challenges such as lost evidence, deceased witnesses, and political sensitivities. Still, prosecutors stressed the importance of honouring victims by pursuing justice where possible.
The Department of Justice and the Foundation for Human Rights have both welcomed the inquest, framing it as a critical step toward addressing the legacy of impunity for crimes committed under apartheid.
Luthuli’s inquest follows others such as the Timol and Mxenge cases, where previous “accidents” were eventually exposed as political assassinations.
The hearings are expected to resume later this year.
