IN THE HIGH COURT OF SOUTH AFRICA GAUTENG DIVISION, PRETORIA CASE NO: I01/2017 In the matter between: REOPENED INQUEST: LATE AHMED TIMOL __________________________________________________________________ TIMOL FAMILY‟S MAIN HEADS OF ARGUMENT __________________________________________________________________ Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 4 OUTLINE OF NEW EVIDENCE ................................................................................. 7 BRIEF FACTUAL BACKGROUND ........................................................................... 12 The early years ...................................................................................................................... 12 London and recruitment into political activities ...................................................................... 12 Return to South Africa and continuation of political activities ................................................. 13 Arrest and detention at Newlands .......................................................................................... 14 Detention and torture at John Vorster Square ........................................................................ 15 Death at John Vorster Square ................................................................................................. 17 Post mortem by Dr Schepers and investigation into the fall ..................................................... 21 Formal inquest into the death of Ahmed Timol and the reopening of the inquest .................... 21 HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE CHRONOLOGY ............................................................. 21 POLICE VERSION ................................................................................................... 33 No torture or abuse of any form ............................................................................................. 33 Timol committed suicide ........................................................................................................ 34 POLICE VERSION IS UNTENABLE ........................................................................ 34 Similar fact evidence of torture, assault and abuse ................................................................. 35 Forensic medical evidence of torture, assault and abuse ......................................................... 42 The ambivalent evidence of Doctors Schepers, Koch and Kemp ................................................. 46 Magistrate’s finding of no assaults by the SB .......................................................................... 49 Timol could not have committed suicide ................................................................................. 52 Forensic medical evidence ........................................................................................................... 52 Trajectory evidence ...................................................................................................................... 54 Evidence of colleagues, family and friends .................................................................................. 57 Mr. X and the Jacobsens .............................................................................................................. 58 SACP policy on suicide and the ‘publications’ .............................................................................. 61 2 IMPROBABILITIES IN THE EVIDENCE OF RODRIGUES ...................................... 64 THE COVER-UP ...................................................................................................... 69 The investigation was a cover-up ............................................................................................ 70 Commissioning of statements by Buys .................................................................................... 74 The unlawful detention of Timol in JVS offices ........................................................................ 77 Suspicious letter of commendation ........................................................................................ 78 SB practice of covering up ...................................................................................................... 80 What was the SB covering up? ............................................................................................... 82 MOVING OF TIMOL & NO EMERGENCY SERVICES SUMMONED ...................... 83 Conduct consistent with murder............................................................................................. 85 THE TIMING ISSUE: WHEN DID TIMOL FALL? ..................................................... 89 THE PROBABILITIES .............................................................................................. 92 RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................................ 95 CONCLUSION ......................................................................................................... 97 ANNEX A: SUMMARY OF THE EVIDENCE .......................................................... 102 Version advanced by Security Branch in original inquest ....................................................... 102 Evidence of Joao Rodrigues .................................................................................................. 110 The findings of the magistrate in the first inquest ................................................................. 123 Oral testimony, arrest and alleged torture at John Vorster Square ........................................ 124 Dr Salim Essop ............................................................................................................................ 124 Dr Dilshad Jetham ...................................................................................................................... 130 Professor Kantilal Naik ............................................................................................................... 134 George Bizos SC .......................................................................................................................... 136 Paul Erasmus .............................................................................................................................. 140 Neville Els ................................................................................................................................... 142 Seth Sons .................................................................................................................................... 144 The medical and scientific evidence ...................................................................................... 147 Post mortem report and original inquest findings ..................................................................... 147 Dr Schepers Oral Testimony ....................................................................................................... 149 Dr Gluckman’s Oral Testimony ................................................................................................... 150 Dr Koch Oral Testimony ............................................................................................................. 156 Affidavit of Jonathan Gluckman ................................................................................................. 157 Affidavit of H van Praag Koch and critiques of Dr Koch ............................................................. 158 Independent expert medical opinions by Dr Naidoo and Dr Holland ........................................ 160 Shortcomings of post mortem report ........................................................................................ 160 Short comings of medical evidence provided at the original inquest ........................................ 162 Injuries consistent with a fall from a height ............................................................................... 162 Injuries not related to a fall from a height ................................................................................. 164 Timol’s physical state before the fall ......................................................................................... 168 Primary points of impact when the body hit the ground........................................................... 169 Cause of Death ........................................................................................................................... 170 Differences of opinion between Dr Naidoo and Dr Holland ...................................................... 170 Estimated Time of Death ............................................................................................................ 171 Better quality autopsy photographs .......................................................................................... 175 No emergency services provided to Timol: Professor Kenneth Boffard .................................... 176 Trajectory expert evidence: Thivash Moodley ........................................................................... 178 Other expert evidence ......................................................................................................... 183 Don Foster .................................................................................................................................. 183 3 Frank Dutton .............................................................................................................................