Imam Abdullah Haron's daughter proud of the work he was doing before his death
Haron, a prominent anti-apartheid activist, died in 1969 while in police custody after being arrested under the Terrorism Act.
Imam Abdullah Haron died in police custody in 1969. More than five decades later, the Western Cape High Court has set aside a 1970 inquest, to find the true cause of his death. Picture: Supplied
CAPE TOWN - On the 55th anniversary of his death, the daughter of Imam Abdullah Haron has spoken fondly about the work her father was doing, which ultimately led to his arrest and his death in prison.
Haron, a prominent anti-apartheid activist, died in 1969 while in police custody after being arrested under the Terrorism Act.
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In 2023, the outcome of an initial inquest into Haron's death was overturned after the Western Cape High Court ruled that he most likely died after being tortured by apartheid police.
Fatiema Haron said that her father believed people had the right to movement, expression, education, and association.
"He felt a grave injustice that the people who were incarcerated, their family members never had the opportunity to visit them or see them, and then he financially tried to raise funds and aid to assist the families in these various African townships."
Fatiema said that the family welcomed the judgment that was handed down by the High Court in 2023.
"Finally, it is placed on record that our father was murdered, killed, and tortured in detention, and he died because of that – the brutality of the apartheid system."
Fatiema said, as a family, they would always be bereaved and grieved at the loss of her father.