From The Guardian

South African supporters of a trade unionist who died in prison in 1982 are to bring a private criminal prosecution against the man accused of torturing him to his suicide, as part of a 31-year fight for justice in one of apartheid’s most notorious crimes.

Neil Aggett, a 28-year-old medical doctor and trade union organizer, was detained by the security police in 1981 and subjected to such severe torture that he hanged himself in his prison cell.

His death was described as “induced suicide” at the truth and reconciliation commission, which was set up to investigate atrocities committed under apartheid and give amnesty to perpetrators who admitted to their crimes.

The commission heard that Aggett had been assaulted, electrocuted, forced to exercise for long periods and interrogated for 62 hours without a break.

Stephan Whitehead, identified at the commission as one of two leaders of the security police team that tortured Aggett, declined to testify at those hearings in the 1990s and has not gained amnesty from prosecution.

He now faces a private criminal charge of culpable homicide, which will be formally lodged against him by the Neil Aggett Support Group next Wednesday, the 32nd anniversary of Aggett’s detention. The private criminal charge has the same status as a state prosecution, and Whitehead could face a prison sentence if it is successful.

Written by Donald McRae/Read more at The Guardian