Kaya 959 Point of View with Phemelo Motene

Justice for Caiphus Nyoka – A Sentence, But No Closure?

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38 years after the killing of student activist Caiphus Nyoka, former apartheid-era police officer Johan Marais has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for his murder. The court noted Marais showed little genuine remorse, writing to the family only in an effort to reduce his sentence. Caiphus was just 19 when he was assassinated for his role in fighting apartheid. Phemelo speaks with Jos Venter, the Nyoka family’s legal representative, about the verdict, the emotional toll on the family, and what this judgement means in the broader pursuit of justice in post-apartheid South Africa.
10 Jul 2025 4PM English South Africa Education · Careers

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