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Justice for Nyoka | Family says killers never asked for forgiveness Ntandoyenkosi… Sun, 12/07/2025 - 16:37 GAUTENG - Caiphus Nyoka s family say it will be hard to forgive his killers because they ve never apologised. Nyoka, a Congress of South African Students leader, was shot and killed at his Daveyton home in August 1987. Apartheid police officers, Abraham Engelbrecht and Pieter Stander, were found guilty of his murder this week while Leon van den Berg was acquitted. Johan Marais pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment in July.Read | Apartheid-era police officer Johan Marais sentenced to 15 yearsAfter 38 long years, the Nyoka family received the justice they d fought for their son, Caiphus. Their ordeal began when apartheid police took Nyoka from his family on 24 August 1987.Alegria Nyoka, Caiphus sister, repeated the slogan that the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) in celebration of this victory for justice. Victory is certain it s one of the slogans that they use. Even after 38 years we end up victorious because yes it took soo many years for us to get this justice where people responsible for my brother s killing had to be judged and found guilty so that was victory on our side. The Nyoka case resurfaced after former apartheid police officer, Johan Marais confessed in October 2019. Following this, the family approached the Foundation for Human rights and later the Webber Wentzel law firm.Zaid Kimmie, from the Foundation for Human Rights, noted the challenges that many of the apartheid-era cases face in terms of prosecution and conviction. We also know that its very much the exception. For many other cases the opportunity for criminal conviction has now passed. An example be the Cradock four where all of the perpetrators have died, so there can no be further criminal conviction and many other cases all we have is an inquest. A criminal case was pursued and four apartheid police officers were charged with Nyoka s murder. The judgment is more than a legal mil it s a moment of closure, recognition and healing.But for the Nyoka family forgiveness remains elusive.Nation Nyoka, Caiphus niece, believes that forgiveness will take time because there has never been an apology from the other two accused besides Marais. She says that the family would like to understand what happened to Caiphus, and that perhaps this should not only be a matter done in court. Despite the court victory, the family is left with a lot of questions including how Caiphus died. There are many other apartheid era cases waiting for justice to catch up.President Cyril Ramaphosa set up the Khampepe Commission of Inquiry in May, which is intended to serve justice for the many apartheid-era cases that have been delayed.The two officers convicted of Nyoka s murder are expected back in court for a bail application on Thursday.

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