By AGISANANG SCUFF
13 November 2025- The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the inquest into the alleged death and disappearance of Nicholas Majestic Boiki Tlhapi will be reopened in the North West High Court sitting in Mahikeng. Tlhapi (26) was a community activist and a politically active member of the Ikageng Civic Association in Potchefstroom.
The NPA regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said on the evening of 20 March 1986, at approximately 8pm, he and eleven other mourners boarded a taxi to attend the funeral of three comrades who had been shot by police. Gunya said the group was arrested at Jouberton Township en route to Klerksdorp during the State of Emergency declared by the government at the time.
“While all of Tlhapi’s fellow detainees were released after approximately 14 days in custody, Tlhapi never returned home and has not been seen in the last 38 years. An inquest into his disappearance was first held on 5 July 1995 at the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court (Inquest No. 49/94).
“The court ruled that it could not find beyond a reasonable doubt that Tlhapi was deceased, despite hearing evidence from his father, James Tlhapi and others,” he said.
Gunya further said the matter was later referred to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) as one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) cases. He added that the investigation, guided by the NPA, led to a subsequent application by the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development to reopen the inquest.
“The Minister then requested the Judge President of the North West Division of the High Court, in terms of Section 17A(1) of the Inquests Act 58 of 1959, to designate a judge to preside over the reopened inquest.
“The Judge President has accordingly designated Acting Deputy Judge President A.H. Petersen to preside over the matter. The case will be enrolled at the High Court in Mahikeng on 17 November 2025 for the first appearance of interested parties and persons of interest before the court,” said Gunya.
Meanwhile, Dr Rachel Makhari, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West said: “The NPA stands united in its commitment to ensuring that justice is served and that there is accountability in the disappearance of Tlhapi.”
The Guardian 