MEDIA STATEMENT: 13 JANUARY 2023
NPA Further Enhances Efforts to Ensure Effective Handling and Prosecution of TRC Cases
The National Prosecuting Authority has been working to reopen cases emanating from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The NPA says 64 new cases have been registered for investigation, 25 prosecutors and 40 investigators have been appointed in the various divisions to deal specifically with TRC matters. And now its appointed advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza to review its measures to deal with and prosecute these cases. The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation has welcomed the move. The TRC hearings around apartheid crimes were held between 1995 and 1998 but it’s mandate was extended for other hearings until 2002. It was empowered to grant amnesty to perpetrators who confessed their crimes truthfully and completely. The commission received more than 7 000 amnesty applications but amnesty was refused in nearly 5400 of those cases. So while the vast majority of cases of amnesty was denied, few trials have been held. To discuss we’re joined by spokesperson for the NPA, Mthunzi Mhaga.
The NPA says 64 new cases have been registered for investigation emanating from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). The TRC was a court-like body that the democratic South African government had established in 1995. The aim was to heal and reconcile the country’s people by uncovering the truth about human rights violations that had occurred during the apartheid era. The NPA says 25 prosecutors and 40 investigators have been dealing specifically with TRC matters. Advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza has also been appointed to review their measures to deal with and prosecute those involved in the cases. To discuss this further, we are joined in studio, by author and nephew of Ahmed Timol, Imtiaz Cajee; journalist, author, and son of Fort Calata, Lukhanyo Calata, as well as Dr Marjorie Jobson who is the Director at Khulumani Support group join us via zoom.
TRC Cases | NPA begins reviewing TRC matters
This is part of efforts to ensure the effective handling and prosecution of all TRC cases.
The NPA has recently focused on reopening and pursuing priority cases and 64 new cases have been registered for investigation.
Ntsebeza joins over 20 prosecutors and 40 investigators that have been appointed to deal specifically with TRC Matters.
https://www.enca.com/news/trc-cases-npa-begins-reviewing-trc-matters
NPA appoints Adv Ntsebeza to review progress on TRC cases
NPA appoints Adv Ntsebeza to review TRC cases
Senior counsel has three months to finalise his report and recommendations.
NPA appoints investigators and prosecutors to tackle TRC matters
- The National Prosecuting Authority has appointed a team of prosecutors and investigators to deal with TRC-related matters.
- NPA spokesperson advocate Mthunzi Mhaga said 64 cases were opened for investigation.
- The NPA appointed advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza SC to review progress on these cases.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has appointed 25 prosecutors and 40 investigators to deal with cases flowing from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
NPA spokesperson advocate Mthunzi Mhaga said 64 cases were registered for investigation.
ActionSA welcomes the appointment of advocate Ntsebeza to review measures taken by the NPA to prosecute unresolved TRC matters
Story by Thakasani Khumalo • IOL Sunday 15 Jan 2023
Durban – ActionSA has welcomed the announcement by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to appoint advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza to review the measures that have been adopted to deal with and prosecute unresolved Truth and Reconcilation (TRC) matters.
On Friday, IOL reported that the NPA had appointed 25 prosecutors and 40 investigators within the various divisions to deal specifically with TRC matters, including the 64 new cases that had been registered for investigation.
Families welcome NPA’s moving TRC cases into higher gear
15 January 2023
Written by Ntombi Nkosi Multimedia Journalist, IOL Politics
Johannesburg – The families of apartheid victims and survivors have welcomed the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA’s) progress in pursuing post-Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) prosecutions, saying it is long overdue.
The NPA announced on Friday that it had taken a step to further enhance its efforts to deal with and prosecute cases stemming from the TRC.
GOOD welcomes probe into apartheid crimes TRC matters
16 January 2023 Written by Siyabonga Sithole
Johannesburg – The GOOD party has welcomed the appointment of advocate Dumisa Ntsebenza to probe apartheid TRC matters.
Speaking on behalf of the party, Brett Herron said it is about time that the TRC’s non-performance with respect to the prosecution of long-outstanding truth and reconciliation matters was done.
He said that in its final report, published two decades ago, the TRC recommended that approximately 300 apartheid-era cases involved perpetrators who had not applied for or been granted amnesty. Herron added that these should be investigated with a view to prosecution. But for nearly 20 years, no cases were investigated.
“Many of the ghastliest perpetrators have since died. Former National Director of Public Prosecutions Vusi Pikoli revealed in an affidavit in 2015 that he was instructed not to proceed with the matters.
Investigator to probe South Africa’s handling of stalled apartheid-era cases
It’s one of the biggest mysteries of South Africa’s postapartheid era: Why did its new democratic government fail to prosecute hundreds of perpetrators of apartheid atrocities, and was it a result of secret political interference?
The questions have tainted the legacy of South Africa’s much-lauded Truth and Reconciliation Commission, or TRC, which pushed for the prosecution of about 300 apartheid crimes for many years without success. But now a newly appointed investigator will have a chance to look for answers.
NPA enhances steps to prosecute cases stemming from the TRC
16 January 2023 – 19:49 TIMES LIVE
Senior counsel Dumisa Ntsebeza has three months to assess and make recommendations, if necessary, to strengthen the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) handling of Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) cases.
On Friday, the NPA announced the appointment of Ntsebeza to probe non prosecutions in TRC cases.
NPA spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga said if Ntsebeza found evidence or information that amounted to interference in the work of the NPA it would be escalated to national director of public prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi.
“If necessary, the NPA will refer relevant matters for criminal investigation,” Mhaga said.
New hope for prosecution of outstanding TRC cases, now a top priority for NPA
Written by Mwangi Githahu – Multimedia Journalist, Cape Argus
Published Jan 16, 2023
Cape Town – There is a little more light at the end of the tunnel for families of victims of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) cases now that the NPA has made a review of its non-performance with respect to the prosecution of long-outstanding matters a top priority.
Families and the former TRC commissioners have asked the president four times since 2019 to appoint an independent and public commission of inquiry into the suppression of the TRC cases.
The former commissioners said: “It seems the state is fighting a rear-guard action to avoid public scrutiny on this issue.”
Announcing the appointment of former TRC commissioner and senior counsel Dumisa Ntsebeza to review the measures adopted to deal with and prosecute TRC matters, the NPA said they had engaged with the executive, which was expected to release its own statement in due course.
Ahmed Timol’s nephew Imtiaz Cajee welcomes Dumisa Ntsebeza appointment
Pretoria – Imtiaz Cajee, the nephew of murdered anti-apartheid activist Ahmed Timol, has welcomed the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) appointment of advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza SC, to review its performance regarding prosecutions in long-outstanding Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) cases .
Cajee who has for years been fighting for justice for apartheid victims, said the move was long overdue.
He vowed in 1996 during the TRC proceedings, to preserve the legacy of his uncle Ahmed Timol who died in detention during apartheid, as well as of other victims of apartheid.
Reacting to Ntsebeza’s appointment, Cajee told the Pretoria News that this was definitely a step in the right direction.
Radio 786 – 100.4fm
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) will be investigating 64 new cases from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Victims of Apartheid, and the families of those who lost their loved ones to the liberation struggle have long been calling for justice even after the advent of democracy. Affected families have to this day struggled to reconcile with the trauma the Apartheid regime inflicted upon people of colour in South Africa. Now, South Africa’s courts have conceded.
Guest: Imtiaz Cajee, nephew of slain anti-Apartheid activist Ahmed Timol
IMITIAZ CAJEE ON YOUFM NEWS TRC INVESTIGATIONS
The National Prosecuting Authority has been working to reopen cases emanating from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The NPA says 64 new cases have been registered for investigation, 25 prosecutors and 40 investigators have been appointed in the various divisions to deal specifically with TRC matters. And now its appointed advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza to review its measures to deal with and prosecute these cases. The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation has welcomed the move. Neeshan Balton is the Executive Director of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation. He joins us now via Zoom.
Ahmed Timol’s nephew Imitiaz Cajee reacts to news that the NPA will have a task team for Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza will lead the court-ordered inquiry into failures to prosecute TRC cases.
An open letter to the NDPP Shamila Batohi: Investigate TRC cases
IOL: Published Feb 18, 2020 – Written by Imtiaz Cajee
Dear NDPP,
As you are well aware, the fight for justice for the murder of my Uncle Ahmed Timol is an integral part of my life. The reversal of the 1972 inquest findings has inspired me to assist many other families seeking a similar outcome.
hereby wish to draw your attention to the ruling of the South Gauteng Full Bench, dated 03 June 2019 (Case number 76755/2018, Joao Roderigues vs The National Director of Public Prosecutions of South Africa and eight others). The ruling stemmed from the criminal case which emanated from the death of my uncle, Ahmed Timol.
The Full Bench dismissed the application of Mr Roderigues who applied for a permanent stay of prosecution emanating from the lengthy delay in prosecuting Mr Roderigues.
COSAS 4 Case: Judge dismisses Police Minister’s application for leave to appeal against legal costs judgment
Friday, 13 January 2023
Press Statement issued by the Foundation for Human Rights and Webber Wentzel
On 12 January 2023, the presiding Judge Mokgoatlheng in the murder case against Thlomedi Ephraim Mfalapitsa and Christiaan Siebert Rorich issued an order dismissing the Police Minister’s application for leave to appeal against a judgment issued on 4 May 2022 directing the SAPS to pay the reasonable legal fees of Rorich. The application for condonation of the late filing of the application for the notice of appeal was also dismissed.
