In a significant move towards addressing historical injustices, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has initiated a judicial inquiry into alleged political interference that has hampered the prosecution of crimes committed during the apartheid era. This decision comes thirty years after the end of white-minority rule and follows legal action taken by a group of victims’ families and survivors who have challenged the government over its failure to deliver justice.
Background of the Inquiry
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), established in 1996, uncovered numerous atrocities associated with apartheid, including murder and torture. Despite these revelations, very few cases have moved forward in the judicial system. In a presidential statement, Ramaphosa expressed his commitment to uncovering the truth, stating he is “determined that the true facts be established and the matter brought to finality.”
This inquiry stems from settlement negotiations related to a high court case filed by a coalition of 25 families and survivors, who are seeking damages amounting to $9 million (£6.8 million). According to the plaintiffs, the subsequent governments have failed to properly investigate crimes committed during apartheid.
Victims and Unheeded Justice
Among the plaintiffs is the son of Fort Calata, one of the Cradock Four, a group of anti-apartheid activists who were murdered by security forces in 1985. Their killings provoked widespread outrage, and while six former police officers admitted their involvement to the TRC, they were denied amnesty and have faced no legal repercussions, as all six have since passed away.
For years, critics have claimed that the African National Congress (ANC), the ruling party in post-apartheid South Africa, struck a secret deal with the former white-minority government to avoid prosecutions. The ANC, however, has consistently denied these allegations.
On Wednesday, the presidency acknowledged the ongoing concerns regarding “improper influence in delaying or hindering the investigation and prosecution of apartheid-era crimes” that date back to previous administrations. The details regarding the head of the inquiry and its timeline are expected to be announced shortly.