Detaining and imprisoning those who went against the Apartheid state was one of the many weapons that the government used to quell resistance. As detention was a legal weapon that could see an individual, a group or even an entire community silenced it became more commonly used. As a result deaths in detention particularly during interrogation became more common. From Solwandle Looksmart Ngudle on 3 September 1963 to Alfred Mabake Makaleng on 26 August 1988 there were 67 acknowledged deaths.
Year | Name | Date died | Age | Place | Days held | Official/alleged cause |
1963 | 1. Ngudle, Solwandle | 05/09 | 41 | Kompol, Pretoria | 17 | Suicide by hanging |
1964 | 3. Tyita, James | 24/01 | ? | Port Elizabeth | ? | Suicide by hanging |
1965 | 5. Gaga, Ngeni | 09/05 | 19 | Transkei | <1 | Natural causes |
1966 | 7. Hamakwayo, James | 09/10 | ? | Pretoria Prison | 13 | Suicide by hanging |
1967 | 10. Yan, Ah | 05/01 | 63 | Silverton Police Sta. | 37 | |
1968 | 12. Tubukwa, Jundea | 11/09 | ? | Pretoria Prison | 1 | |
1969 | 14. Kgoathe, Nicodemus 15. Modipane, Solomon 16. Lenkoe, James | 04/02 28/02 10/03 | ? ? ? | Held: Silverton Police Sta. | 85 3 5 | |
1971 | 21. Cuthsela, Mthayeni 22. Timol, Ahmed | 21/01 27/10 | ? 30 | Held: Pondoland | 40 5 | |
1976 | 23. Mdluli, Joseph 28. Mogatusi, Fenuel | 19/03 28/09 | 50 22 | Security HQ, Durban | <1 70 | |
1977 | 36. Ndzanga, Lawrence 39. Mabelane, Mathews 42. Khoza, Aaron 45. Haffejee, Hoosen (Dr) 46. Mzizi, Bayempin 47. Biko, Steve 48. Malaza, Sipho | 08/01 15/02 26/03 03/08 13/08 12/09 16/11 | 53 23 35 26 62 31 18 | Johannesburg Fort | 51 25 106 1 35 24 138 | |
1978 | 49. Tabalaza, Lungile | 10/07 | 19 | Sanlam Building, Port Elizabeth | <1 | |
1980 | 50. Ndzumo, Saul | 10/09 | 58 | Umtata, Transkei | 9 | |
1981 | 51. Mgqweto, Manana | 17/09 | 60 | Engcobo, Transkei | ? | |
1982 | 53. Aggett, Neil (Dr) | 05/02 | 28 | John Vorster Sq., Jhb | 70 | |
1983 | 55. Mndawe, Simon | 08/03 | 23 | Nelspruit Prison | 14 | |
1984 | 57. Tshikudo, Samuel 58. Sipele, Mxolisi | 20/01 ??/06 | 50 ? | Held: Venda | 77 150 | |
1985 | 60. Raditsela, Andries | 06/05 | 29 | Baragwanath Hospital | 2 | |
1986 | 62. Kutumela, Makompe | 05/04 | 25 | Lebowa | 1 | |
1987 | 66. Mashoke, Benedict | 26/03 | 20 | Burgersfort Police Sta. | 215 | |
1988 | 69. Zokwe, Sithembele | 12/01 | 36 | Butterworth, Transkei | 1 | |
1990 | 71. Sithole, Clayton Sizwe | 30/01 | 20 | John Vorster Sq., Jhb | 4 |