Imam Abdullah Haron's family aggrieved 'there were no perpetrators to prosecute'
On the 55th anniversary of Imam Abdullah Haron's death on Friday, his daughter shared some of her family's concerns related to the inquiry into her father's death.
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/Imam Haron Foundation
CAPE TOWN - On the 55th anniversary of Imam Abdullah Haron's death on Friday, his daughter shared some of her family's concerns related to the inquiry into her father's death.
Haron, who was a prominent anti-apartheid activist, died in 1969 while in police custody.
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At the time, apartheid police said Haron died after falling down a flight of stairs.
However, the Haron family received closure in 2023, after the outcome of an initial inquest into his death was overturned when the High Court ruled that he most likely died after being tortured by the apartheid police.
Haron's daughter, Fatiema Haron, said while she's happy the history books will now reflect the truth, she still has some concerns.
"What aggrieves me is that there were no perpetrators to prosecute, and we knew that from the beginning. It took this government 52 years after his death to have an inquest."
EXPEDITION OF REMAINING TRC CASES
An overwhelming sentiment shared on the 55th anniversary of Haron's death was for the justice system to expedite the remaining Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) cases.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said there were still 135 TRC-related cases to be processed.
Haron's son, Professor Muhammed Haron, said while his father's case had reached some form of conclusion, there were many other cases which were still pending.
"The Cradock Four is one case that comes to mind, and so while our case was more or less concluded, we are mindful of the others that still need to be addressed, and we don't want them to be neglected in any way."
Claremont Main Road Mosque’s Imam Rashied Omar on Friday echoed Professor Haron's sentiment.
"At this time of the 55th anniversary of Imam Haron, we would like to call on South Africa's justice system to expedite the outstanding cases."
The NPA said it remained committed to processing the remaining cases. Prosecutors are still investigating.