The death of Steve Biko

• On August 1977, Steve Biko was arrested at a police roadblock and interrogated by the security police.
• The interrogation of Steve Biko lasted nearly 22 hours and included torture and beatings resulted in a coma.
• Biko suffered major head injury while in police custody and was then chained by a window grille for a day.
• Biko died shortly after arriving in Pretoria prison, in September 1977. The police claimed his death was the result of an extended hunger strike.
• A post mortem revealed multiple bruises and abrasions and that he ultimately succumbed to a brain haemorrhage from the massive injuries to the head.
• News of Biko's death spread quickly and showed the repressive nature of the Apartheid government.
• Steve Biko's funeral was attended by over 10,000 people, including numerous ambassadors and other diplomats from the United States and Western Europe.
• Although the Black Consciousness Movement struggled on for a few years; it was virtually destroyed by the death of Biko and the actions of South African states.