An expert who has investigated various scenarios to determine whether anti-apartheid activist Doctor Hoosen Haffejee could have committed suicide while in detention in 1977 is expected to testify at the inquest in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Thursday.
The inquest into the death of the 26-year old doctor in a cell at Durban’s Brighton Beach police station over 40 years ago has been re-opened.
Haffejee’s death attracted international attention at the time and his family has been fighting to have the inquest reopened.
The Security Branch had accused him of trying to overthrow the State.
The initial inquest in 1978 found that Haffejee hanged himself with his pants from the cell door.
The family, however, maintains that the scene was staged to cover up his torture.
Lawyer Anwar Suleman Jessop says it is important to document the history of the country as the family looks for answers.
Haffejee’s family says they have faith that justice will prevail, even 44 years after his death.
In the video below, a report on court proceedings which took place on Tuesday as opening arguments were heard:
