Former Apartheid Police Officer Convicted for 1987 Murder of Student Activist

The Pretoria High Court has scheduled further proceedings for January 27, 2025, to review a psychological report, with trials for three other co-accused set to begin on November 18, 2024.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has secured a landmark conviction in the case of former Apartheid police officer Johan Marais, who was found guilty of the 1987 murder of student activist Caiphus Nyoka. Marais, who pleaded guilty to the charges, was granted bail of R5,000 under strict conditions, including the surrender of his passport and restrictions on contact with witnesses and co-accused. The Pretoria High Court has scheduled further proceedings for January 27, 2025, to review a psychological report, with trials for three other co-accused set to begin on November 18, 2024.

Nyoka, a prominent youth leader and activist, was a vocal opponent of Apartheid policies. He held roles within the Congress of South African Students, served as the South African Youth Congress (SAYCO) Organiser for the Transvaal Student Congress, and was President of the Student Representative Council at Mabuya High School. His activism marked him as a target of the Apartheid security forces.

The NPA recounted that on the night of August 23, 1987, Marais and other members of the South African Police convened to plan Nyoka's assassination. Under orders from commanding officer Major Leon Louis van den Berg, Marais and three co-accused devised a raid on Nyoka’s home. In the early hours of August 24, the group stormed Nyoka’s residence in Springs. After locating Nyoka, they forcefully removed his friends and shot him nine times, resulting in his death from multiple gunshot wounds.

The NPA’s spokesperson noted that Marais' conviction serves as a significant milestone in their mission to address unresolved atrocities referred to the NPA by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Prosecuting TRC-related cases has been challenging due to the time elapsed, loss of evidence, and scarcity of witnesses. Nonetheless, a dedicated team from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) and the NPA continues to pursue justice in these complex cases.

The conviction, hailed as a major step toward accountability, underscores the NPA’s commitment to upholding justice for Apartheid-era human rights violations. According to the NPA, this outcome not only honors the memory of Caiphus Nyoka but also offers a long-overdue sense of closure to his family and society at large.