Found guilty of murdering former Apartheid police officer Caiphus Nyoka

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) obtained a conviction in a matter related to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

This comes after the Pretoria High Court found former Apartheid police officer Johan Marais guilty of the murder of student activist Caiphus Nyoka.

Marais had confessed to the murder.

After the criminal complaint was registered, Marais was released on bail of R5000 on the condition that he not interfere with state witnesses and not communicate with the other three defendants.

“He was also ordered not to leave Springs’ jurisdiction without notifying the investigating officer and to surrender his passport to the investigating officer and not to apply for a new passport.

“The matter has been postponed to January 27, 2025 to obtain a psychological report. In a statement made by the NPA, it was stated that the trial of the other three defendants in the matter will begin in the Pretoria High Court in Benoni from 18 November to 6 December 2024.

Nyoka was killed in 1987 for her action against Apartheid policies.

At that time he was a student activist, a member of the South African Students Congress, South African Youth Congress Organizer (SAYCO) of the Transvaal Student Congress on the East Rand, as well as President of the Student Representative Council (SRC). , at Mabuya High School.

“On the evening of 23 August 1987, Marais and some members of the security branch and other units within the South African Police met to discuss a plan to kill Nyoka. A raid plan was devised under the direction of the then commander, Major Leon Louis van den Berg, himself assigned separately.

“In the early hours of August 24, 1987, around 2:30 a.m., Marais, along with Sergeant Pieter Stander, Sergeant Abram Hercules Engelbrecht, and other members of the separately assigned Response Unit, arrived at Nyoka’s farm and raided Nyoka’s room.

“They found him sleeping with his three friends. After identifying him, they took his friends out of the room and then started shooting him nine times. He died at the scene as a result of multiple gunshot wounds,” the NPA said.

The prosecution office stated that Marais’ conviction was effective.

“The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes this conviction, which reflects its commitment to ensuring accountability for the horrific crimes referred to the NPA by the TRC.

“TRC matters are very difficult to investigate and prosecute due to their nature and the great length of time that takes place, evidence is dispersed, and critical witnesses are not available. DPCI’s joint TRC team of special investigators and prosecutors will continue to fight the well-deserved fight against apartheid-related atrocities and bring justice to society.

“Therefore, this conviction is an important and effective result not only for the state and society, but most importantly for the victim’s families. “The NPA brings an important sense of justice and closure that is priceless,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za