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Chief Albert Luthuli was born near Bulawayo in Zimbabwe in 1898.
Testifying in the re-opened inquest into the death of ANC leader Inkosi Albert Luthuli in 1967, daughter-in-law Wilhelminah Luthuli has described his injuries to the Pietermaritzburg High Court.
She has testified that the family never believed that he was struck by a train as the original inquest found.
She has told the court some important evidence was never revealed in that inquest, saying she believes it was to cover up for the government’s involvement in Luthuli’s death.
Wilhemina Luthuli says her father-in-law left home early in the morning as was his habit.
She says when she saw Luthuli in hospital he had a deep gash on the top of his head.
“The wound was not bandaged. It was open, he was trying to speak. It was painful to watch him struggling to speak. He was really trying hard to say something but he could not. His one arm was limp. There was not much blood. He could recognise our faces but just could not communicate. He was mumbling,” she explains.
She says her father-in-law passed away quietly that afternoon.
“Christian, Thembi, and a pastor were in there. People were coming and leaving. Quietly, Luthuli slipped away from us.”
