Evidence that will expose how apartheid Security Branch policemen violated political detainees’ human rights through torture and beatings is expected at the reopened inquest into the death of Imam Abdullah Haron.
Former political detainees including Jeremy Cronin, Yousuf Gabru, Robert Wilcox, Shirley Gunn and Stephanie Kemp will testify next week.
The five veteran anti-apartheid activists were interrogated by one of the notorious security policemen, a Sergeant “Spyker” van Wyk, the cop who also interrogated Haron while he was in police custody.
Haron was in detention for 123 days from May 28, 1969, in Caledon Square now known as Cape Town police station for 75 nights until he was transferred to Maitland police station for 45 nights.
His whereabouts for two nights from September 17 to 18 remained unclear.
A psychologist Diane Sandler is also expected to testify on torture and detention.
On Friday an expert forensic pathologist testified that the possible cause of Haron’s death was severe injuries sustained as a result of assault by the Special Branch policemen.
Dr Steve Naidoo who has 40 years experience in forensic pathology told the inquest that the 27 bruises on Haron's body were of “moderately severe” degree.
Naidoo was asked by Webber Wentzel, the law firm assisting the Haron family to study medical evidence of the original 1970 inquest conducted by the apartheid state, to provide an independent opinion on the manner, circumstances and cause of death.
Naidoo also did similar work on the deaths of other political activists including Ahmed Timol, Dr Hoosen Haffejee and Dr Neil Aggett and Matthews Mabelane.
Family and friends who described the late Imam as a “jovial, simple man” sat in silence in court as startling evidence lifted the veil on the final days of of his life.
The inquest also heard evidence of how the Security Branch policemen and the medical doctors attempted to conceal evidence about the real cause of death.
The evidence included how the apartheid government absolved itself of responsibility for the deaths of political detainees and often found that "no one " was to blame.
Another pathologist, Dr Itumeleng Molefe has also suggested as highly unlikely that Haron died due to a fall, as alleged by the former security operatives.
“The death was in all probability due to the combination of severe systemic physiological stresses resulting from the injuries, with pre-existing coronary artery disease,” Naidoo said.
Naidoo’s analysis also found that the injuries Haron sustained did not correspond to a fall.
“The injuries of the body are characteristic of a physical assault… the amount of force applied to cause the injuries should be regarded as substantial.”
Haron sustained 12 bruises over his lower limbs and trunk, eight on the shins, six on both sides of the lower chest and a fractured rib.
Naidoo said while scientific research could not arrive at an accurate determination of the age of bruises by histology, some of the bruises (lower limbs) could have been seven to 10 days or even more older, the ones on the shins between two to four days old.
He said: “Had good quality autopsy photographs been available, a more confident and precise consensus on age may have been reached.
“It can be assumed that the bruises (on lower limbs and trunk) were inflicted together at around the same time, or alternatively over several days.”
He also told the inquest that the injuries could have been caused using a hard instrument and beatings.
Naidoo further told the inquest that while being held at Caledon police station Haron was interrogated on a daily basis.
Haron also fasted daily and only had one evening meal which was prepared and sent to him by family.
But Naidoo testified that Haron's complaint of bleeding haemorrhoids was not unusual given his lack of hydration and mobility.
He told the inquest that Haron endured prolonged incarceration and interrogations along with constant tension, anxiety and depression.
A record of other health and physical complaints included pain in the chest area and also showed that a policeman, a Captain Geldenhuys, gave Haron Voloxine tablets he fetched from his own home on September 20, 1969 to be taken every four hours.
“It’s disturbing that a policeman gave the prescription.
“A doctor should have been called.
“You can’t administer the pill more than once a day,” said Naidoo.
The inquest also offered a glimpse into Haron’s personal life, showing him as an affectionate family man who was also involved in social justice work to uplift the less fortunate.
In a letter he wrote on a wrapper of Pyott biscuits on the 58th day of detention at Caledon police station on 27 July 1969, he told his eldest Shamila Shanis who lived in London at the time that he was in “good health” and not to worry.
“Daddy hopes to meet you in London soon.
“Write to Aunty in Mecca and tell her about Daddy’s position. And she must send you money.
“Don’t be shy. She got a lot of money,” he wrote.
In another letter to a political activist, Barney Desai he warned him to be “careful” as the security police were planning to “assassinate or kidnap him”.
“Sacrifices must be made for a good cause.
“The Security Branch wants information out of me… who are those working with me.
“I will give my life but never will I divulge any of my compatriots,” he wrote.
Haron’s son, a retired Professor of Religious Studies, Muhammed said the evidence shed this week had shifted their earlier perception on the process.
“We were cynical but now we have hope. It’s a positive development which will give hope to families of other victims.”
The inquest continues.