Steve Biko

Date: 30 January, 1985

The Pretoria Supreme Court ordered the South African Medical and Dental Council (SAMDC) to hold an inquiry into the conduct of the two doctors who treated Steve Biko for five days before he died. Prior to the Supreme Court order and two years after his death, SAMDC disciplinary committee found there was no prima facie case against the two doctors who had treated Biko shortly before his death. In February 1982, dissatisfied doctors had presented a petition to the Council seeking another inquiry. However, this was rejected on the grounds that no new evidence had come to light.

Biko’s death on 12 September 1977 caught the attention of the international community, which increased the pressure on the South African government to abolish its detention policies and called for an international investigation into the causes of his death. Even close allies of South Africa, Britain and the United States of America, expressed deep concern over his death.

References

• South African History Online, ‘The Inquest into Biko's Death and his funeral’, [online] Available at www.sahistory.org.za [Accessed: 06 December 2011]
• Amandla!, ‘The Inquest into Biko’s Death and Funeral’, [online] available at www.amandlapublishers.co.za [Accessed: 06 December 2011]