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Anti-apartheid activist Moabi Dipale did not hang himself – NPA
The reopened inquest hearing into former anti-apartheid activist, Ernest Moabi Dipale’s death has been finalised in the High Court of South Africa Gauteng Local Division, Johannesburg with Judge Motsamai Makume finding that Dipale’s death was brought about by the actions of the members of the security branch police stationed at John Voster Square.
https://www.politicsweb.co.za/documents/antiapartheid-activist-moabi-dipale-did-not-hang-h
‘STRUGGLE CONTINUES TO SEE GENUINE JUSTICE FOR ERNEST DIPALE’: FAMILY
The Johannesburg High Court on Tuesday ruled that the slain anti-apartheid activist was murdered after he was detained by the security police in 1982 and did not die by suicide as was initially ruled.
JOHANNESBURG – The family of slain apartheid activist Ernest Moabi Dipale said their struggle for justice would continue.
On Tuesday, the Johannesburg High Court found he did not take his own life after he was detained by the security police in 1982, as was found at the time, but rather that he was killed.
https://ewn.co.za/0001/01/01/struggle-continues-to-see-genuine-justice-for-ernest-dipale-family
Ernest Dipale Inquest: Victory For Family That Underlines Post-TRC Injustice
GOOD Statement by Brett Herron,
GOOD Secretary-General & Member of Parliament
12 July 2023
The GOOD Party applauds the finding of the re-opened inquest that Ernest Moabi Dipale did not commit suicide in detention more than 40 years ago but was murdered by police.
The Dipale matter is the latest in a very slow trickle of re-opened inquests into the deaths of political detainees at the hands of apartheid security forces that begun a few years ago, following intense pressure by the family, with the overturning of the suicide finding in the 1971 murder in detention of Ahmed Timol.
https://forgood.org.za/ernest-dipale-inquest-victory-for-family-that-underlines-post-trc-injustice/
Police killed anti-apartheid activist Moabi Dipale, high court rules
The Johannesburg high court has found that anti-apartheid activist Ernest Moabi Dipale didn’t die of suicide — his death was the result of the actions of security branch police at John Vorster Square.
Judge Motsamai Makume delivered the judgment at the reopened inquest hearing on Tuesday.
Security police responsible for death of anti-apartheid activist Ernest Moabi Dipale, court rules
11 July 2023 
Cebelihle Bhengu
- The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has ruled anti-apartheid activist Ernest Moabi Dipale did not die by suicide.
- A 1983 court inquest into Dipale’s death concluded he had killed himself in John Vorster Square.
- However, Judge Motsamai Makume found, after reconsidering the evidence heard in the inquest court, it was inconsistent with the facts.
Security police at John Vorster Square are to blame for the death of anti-apartheid activist Ernest Moabi Dipale, the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has found.
On Tuesday, Judge Motsamai Makume found he could not rely on the evidence heard by the inquest in June 1983 because the facts were inconsistent with some of the available evidence.
Anti-apartheid activist Dipale’s family’s hope for justice renewed
Delivering his judgment in Johannesburg on Tuesday, Judge Motsamai Makume said evidence before the court pointed to the fact Dipale was not alone in the final moments before his body was found hanging in his cell.
The apartheid activist was 21 when he was arrested and detained at John Voster Square police station.
The inquest into his death and that of Dr Neil Aggett– who also died by hanging in the same cells – were reopened and now both cases have been ruled deaths caused by the actions of members of the police security branch.
https://www.jacarandafm.com/news/news/anti-apartheid-activist-dipales-familys-hope-justice/
Anti-apartheid activist Ernest Moabi Dipale did not take his own life
11 July 2023 Written by Brenda Masilela Multimedia Journalist, IOL News
The South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg ruled that anti-apartheid activist, Ernest Moabi Dipale did not die by suicide, instead, his death was the result of the actions by apartheid police stationed at John Voster Square.
Dipale was found hanging while in custody at John Voster Square on August 8, 1982.
Family of anti-apartheid activist Ernest Moabi Dipale welcomes court ruling
Dipale, who was only 21 years old, was found hanging from his cell, inside the police station of the then John Vorster Square on 8 August 1982
The family of anti-apartheid activist, Ernest Moabi Dipale has welcomed a ruling by the Johannesburg High Court. Judge Motsamai Makume ruled that Dipale did not die of suicide but was killed by security police.
Dipale, who was only 21 years old, was found hanging from his cell, inside the police station of the then John Vorster Square on 8 August 1982.
This was about six months after the death in custody of another anti-apartheid activist and trade unionist, Dr Neil Aggett.
ERNEST DIPALE’S FAMILY SAYS RULING ON HIS DEATH IN DETENTION GIVES THEM NEW HOPE
There were emotional scenes at the Joburg High Court on Tuesday after it found that struggle activist, Ernest Moabi Dipale, did not die by suicide in detention.
JOHANNESBURG – There were emotional scenes at the Joburg High Court on Tuesday after it found that struggle activist, Ernest Moabi Dipale, did not die by suicide in detention.
Members of the infamous Security Branch took Dipale into custody on the morning of 5 August 1982.
Three days later, he was found hanged from his cell at John Vorster Square in Johannesburg.
His death was ruled a suicide at the time.
STRUGGLE ACTIVIST ERNEST MOABI DIPALE DID NOT TAKE HIS OWN LIFE, COURT FINDS
Dipale was arrested on 5 August 1982 under the Internal Security Act. He was found hanged from his cell at the infamous John Vorster Square in Johannesburg, three days later. His death was ruled a suicide at the time.
JOHANNESBURG – More than 40 years after he died at the infamous John Vorster Square, the finding that struggle activist Ernest Moabi Dipale took his own life has officially been overturned and replaced with one that he was killed by the apartheid police.
Dipale was arrested on 5 August 1982 under the Internal Security Act.
‘Someone to blame’ – Court rules Ernest Dipale death not suicide
The High Court in Johannesburg has ruled that anti-apartheid activist, Ernest Dipale did not die by suicide, instead, his death was the result of the actions of police officers.
Dipale was arrested in August 1982 – days later his family was told that he had hung himself in a cell at the then John Vorster Square police station – now known as the Johannesburg Central police station, where he had been detained.
Delivering the judgment on Tuesday, Judge Motsamai Makume said it was improbable that Dipale would strip down to his underwear and hang himself.
“Dr Steve Naidoo testified that the fresh injury on the lip of Moabi could’ve been caused by blunt force to the mouth which could’ve been as a result of falling or a blow to the mouth. He’s sure that the injury was sustained at the time of death or shortly before death. All this demonstrates that Moabi was in the cell with somebody before he died,” said Makume.
https://www.jacarandafm.com/news/news/someone-blame-court-rules-ernest-dipale-death/
Anti-apartheid activist’s death not suicide, but police action: High Court
The High Court in Johannesburg has ruled that the death of anti-apartheid activist, Ernest Dipale was not due to suicide. Judge Motsamai Makume says Dipale’s death was as a result of police action.
The then 21-year-old was found hanging from his cell, inside the police station of the then John Vorster Square on 8 August 1982. This was about six months after the death in custody of another anti-apartheid activist and trade unionist Neil Agget.
The Security branch police had claimed that both Dipale and Aggett committed suicide.
JOBURG HIGH COURT TO HAND DOWN RULING ON REOPENED ERNEST DIPALE INQUEST
His death was ruled a suicide, but an inquest has now been reopened to determine whether anyone should be held responsible.
JOHANNESBURG – The Johannesburg High Court is set to hand down its ruling in the reopened inquest into the death of anti-apartheid activist Ernest Dipale.
Dipale was arrested on 5 August 1982 under the then newly introduced Internal Security Act.
He was found hanged from his cell at the infamous John Vorster Square in Johannesburg, three days later.
At the time his death was ruled a suicide, but an inquest has now been reopened to determine whether anyone should be held responsible.
Imtiaz Cajee – who is the nephew of murdered struggle activist Ahmed Timol and a leading voice in the call for justice for victims of apartheid-era crimes and their families – said they’re looking forward to Tuesday’s ruling.
https://ewn.co.za/2023/07/11/joburg-high-court-to-hand-down-ruling-on-reopened-ernest-dipale-inquest
Biography of Ernest Moabi Dipale by Larkin Dobson
This article was written by Larkin Dobson and forms part of the SAHO and Southern Methodist University partnership project
Date of Publication: 20 November 2017
CLICK HERE:
MULTI MEDIA
Mufti Yusuf Moosagie and Imtiaz Ahmed Cajee (12 July 2023)
Re-Opened Inquest (Virtual)
(Courtesy of Foundation for Human Rights)
