Justice sought for 1913 killing

Timol inquest sparks search for indentured labourer’s killer

THE nephew of anti-apartheid activist Ahmed Timol has advised community activists to persevere in their quest for answers into the 1913 killing of an indentured labourer.

Selvan Guruvadu, who worked on the Mount Edgecombe sugar estate, was stabbed with an assegai and shot dead 105 years ago.

A group spearheading the efforts to reopen the case, Activists for Selvan Inquest (Asijiki), this week asked police to open the century-old inquest into Guruvadu’s death.

Plantation manager Colin Campbell was acquitted of Guruvadu’s death in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court.

Asijiki spokesperson Kiru Naidoo said the group was inspired by the successful reopening of the inquest into Timol’s death last year.

Timol, an anti-apartheid activist, died in 1971. At the time, his death was ruled a suicide, but following a private investigation by his family, the National Prosecuting Authority reopened the inquest into his death.

Last year, the North Gauteng High Court, found that Timol was murdered while being held in detention by anti-apartheid police.

The case against the accused is still ongoing. Timol’s nephew, Imtiaz Cajee, said the path to having the inquest into his uncle’s death reopened was not an easy one.

“They (Asijiki) will have to persevere and be totally committed to overcoming all the obstacles and remember why they are doing this. It is critical that the families maintain crucial documents, because that’s a key aspect. It’s pivotal to present these documents at court,” he said.

Members of Asijiki are gathering court records, including transcripts.

“We have reports from the Indian Opinion, secondary opinions and academic research. We are steadfast in our commitment to this case, no matter how long it takes,” said Naidoo.

FOR more than a decade a Durban family has been creating a Christmas wonderland at their home, drawing a stream of viewers every year.

The Munsami family of Somerset Park has spent the past four weeks putting up decorations – Santa on a sleigh, Santa in a parachute, and reindeer on the move for this year’s show. The decorations were first put up a surprise for a birthday party 12 as years ago.

Nikita Munsami said she and family members had put up “a few lights” in 2006 for her dad, Vasu, whose birthday is on Boxing Day. “

We continued doing it from that year, adding new decorations every year.

“We now do it for the community. This time of year is extra special for us. It’s wonderful to see the number of families that come to see the display.

We also receive letters to Santa from little kids,” said Munsami.