IT IS EXCITING that the story that has been told to us all these years has finally come out of the pot about how the first leader of the African National Congress (ANC), King Albert Luthuli died.
This was said by the Director General of Luthuli Museum, KwaDukuza, Mr. Brian Xaba yesterday speaking in Thembeni, KwaDukuza during the official launch of the Luthuli Walk commemoration race which takes place every year.
This year’s event will be held on July 25 in Groutville. Xaba said that they will enjoy this race more than anything that has happened in the last ten years because this year’s one came at a good time when the High Court of Pietermaritzburg was finally able to distinguish between the head and the neck and rejected the fact that the veteran died after being hit by a car.
It will be remembered that last year the case of the killing of this veteran who was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize went back to court.
The court rejected the claim that Luthuli died of a stroke and said that there was no concrete evidence for this.
The South African Public Prosecution Service, the NPA, revealed that there are many indications that a monkey was involved in the killing of this veteran.
Speaking in court, the lawyer of this Division, Advocate Ncedile Dunywa accused the first scene in 1967 of ignoring the evidence that showed that there was something wrong with the way Luthuli died.
This unit even called the doctor who examined Luthuli’s body, Dr. Jacubus Van Zyl, who told the court that Luthuli’s body had many serious wounds.
It also revealed that another doctor, Dr Gwendolynn Fegurson revealed that Luthuli was thrown in a remote area.
Xaba said that they urge all those who wish to be a part of this race not to be complacent but to make sure that they participate while there is still time.
”We urge all those who wish to be a part of this historic race that will take place once the truth about Luthuli’s death is known to come and be with us on this day,” he said.
The District Mayor, Lembe, Mr. Thobani Shandu said Luthuli is one of the few leaders who are far from being forgotten in the long and rich history of the ANC.
He urged young people to watch the many good things that Luthuli was doing when he was still young. ”We are very happy that there are still plans to remember our veteran. We are very grateful for this race,” he said.
Mr. Zakhele Gumede who is the founder of this race said he is impressed to see it grow every year. Its main purpose, he said, was to remember Luthuli for the many things he did for the people when he was still young.