In July 1989, an inquest into the death of Ashley KRIEL (20), a member of the ANC and its military wing Umkhonto we Sizwe, concluded that he was killed after a shot was accidentally fired by a warrant officer, Jeff Benzien, in a tussle between Kriel and two policemen on 9 July 1987. The inquest found that the shooting was 'within the bounds of Benzien's duty'. The circumstances of Kriel's death led to public suspicion that he was summarily executed.
In the inquest into the death of Caiphus NYOKA on 24 August 1989, the court concluded that his death was not brought about by an act amounting to an offence on the part of any person. The magistrate said the police did not go to his house with the intention to murder and could not be held criminally responsible. Nyoka was shot and killed by police after three of his friends were forced to leave his room.
