Public Reactions to Steve Biko's Death
The death of Steve Biko sent shock waves throughout South Africa and the international community. His death drew condemnation from the United Nations, European community. Even countries with close diplomatic and economic ties with South Africa, the United States of America (USA) and Great Britain could not maintain their silence about South Africa's human rights abuses. The United States of America was even more vocal about the death of Biko. They went as far as demanding an international investigation into circumstances surrounding his death. Furthermore, they threatened South Africa with further international isolation if it does not take actions. Memorial service was held all over South Africa and Britain and USA. In London, Britain's Foreign Secretary, Dr David Owen, attended the memorial service. In South Africa, the opposition press and White and Black opposition parties swiftly blamed the police for the death of Biko. The Progressive Federal Party, a White parliamentary opposition party issued a statement demanding a public commission of inquiry. The other party to join the chorus was the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), a Black Zulu nationalist party with close government links. The IFP also called for a commission of inquiry supervised by the international community. The IFP spokesman said that Biko's role in the liberation struggle was well known nationally and internationally and his death will not be in vain. Reactions came also from business circles. The retired deputy chairman of Anglo-American issued a statement that Biko's death was a sad loss of an “incredibly great man”. The Southern African Catholic Bishop Conference also issued a statement condemning police brutality and detention practices of South Africa. Their statement said that since Biko was never charged and he feared no courts, they would assume that he was an innocent man. The Black People's Convention, a Black Conscious party, responded with an unyielding position. In their statement issued by their leader, Mr Hlaku Rachidi, the BPC said that it was not shocked by the death of Biko. In fact, they say the death as a culmination of state repression of the young organisation. The BPC listed the death of P. C. Jones, Asha Rambally, and Mrs Nohle Mohapi as examples of a series of assassinations aimed at the total repression of the black community. Rachidi also stated that the Minister of Police Jimmy Kruger feared the Black Consciousness philosophy of equality and humanity.
His Funeral
Biko's funeral matched the reaction caused by his death. His funeral was preceded by a series of memorial services that turned out to be acts of defiance against the country's oppressive regime. Memorial services for Biko suffered police crackdowns and mourners were arrested. The funeral of Biko also received international coverage. In the United States of America, a wide range of newspapers including the Daily News, which does not report much about international news, covered the Biko funeral. Nationally and internationally, the funeral was reported as death rite turned into a protest march. The South African government mobilised its riot police to break groups of mourners in anticipation of an nationwide protest. All over South Africa, people playing a leading role in the funeral arrangements for Steve Biko were arrested, detained, or banned. People travelling to King William's town for the funeral were arrested on charges such as not carrying their pass books to prevent them from attending the funeral However, according to the World newspaper, which was later banned, the biggest incidence of police crack down was in Dube Young Women Christian Association (YWCA), Soweto. Mourners from Soweto gathered at the Dube YWCA Friday night to hold a night vigil prior to their departure. Two buses were called to transport mourners to the funeral after the vigil. The Black People's Convention had decided to go ahead with the funeral arrangements even though the police had refused to give the two buses permits to carry mourners to Biko's funeral. While the buses were loading people, the riot police arrived and started smashing bus windows and to sjambok mourners who were already in the bus. Other police officers fired teargas canisters into the hall were other mourners were still holding prayers.
Among the victims of police beatings with a sjambok, was the wife of Archbishop Desmond Tutu then Bishop of Lesotho, Leah Tutu. She was also in one of the buses preparing to leave when police officers entered the bus and ordered them to evacuate it. Leah Tutu was then sjamboked and forcibly removed from the bus where she was lined up with other passengers to be sjamboked. Another victim was a 71 years old reverend William Moalusi of Orlando West AME church. The police brutally assaulted him in front of his wife. About 98 people were arrested and others were barred from going to the funeral. Despite police attempts to prevent mourners from travelling to the funeral, 20 000 people attended the funeral service. Once more, the USA showed their strongest condemnation of South Africa's police brutality and solidarity with Black people by sending their Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations, Mr Don McHenry, to the funeral.
- SOUTH AFRICAN HISTORY ONLINE -
