‘Facts belie Timol suicide’

In emotional testimony at the reappointed inquest into the death of anti-apartheid activist Ahmed Timol in 1971, veteran struggle Advocate George Bizos referred to similar fact evidence in the deaths of many who died in police detention.

Yesterday he testified about similar cases to Timol’s, including that of Steve Biko and Neil Aggett.

“I believe the initiative taken by the Timol family is one where the principal of similar fact evidence is admissible,” Bizos told Judge Billy Mothle.

“It is a function that your lordship has, and that is not going to be easy, to use the rule about the similar fact evidence.”

Bizos represented the Timol family during the initial inquest into his death, which held no one accountable.

The SA Communist Party member, Umkhonto we Sizwe operative and teacher plunged 10 storeys to his death at John Vorster Square police station.

This inquest, brought by the family, aims to overturn a June 1972 ruling by magistrate JL de Villiers that Timol committed suicide.

Bizos spoke about past judgments, as detailed in one of his books, which he saw as “justice defeated”.

“I thought very carefully about whatever I wrote in the book. I have spoken the truth and the judgments that may have been accepted by our courts.

“And there are reasons given why I believe that justice was defeated in relation to the 69 people that were treated in a similar manner. The facts are there.

“I think history is important, it knows not time,” he said. “Those who say ‘let bygones be bygones’ do not know of the hurt that was caused to their loved ones during this period.”

Timol’s nephew, Imtiaz Cajee, has said his family wanted it to be known that his uncle didn’t commit suicide and the police must be held accountable, saying: “We owe it to him to honour his legacy.”