TRC
Unfiltered: Do the rights of former Apartheid-Crime perpetrators matter?
TRC process did little to unearth apartheid’s many secrets
It has been 35 years since the South African Airways Boeing 747 Helderberg caught fire and crashed into the Indian Ocean, killing all 159 people on board. But we still don’t know the real story behind the tragedy, the worst in local aviation history.
Highly flammable material was being carried in the jet, which was used for a combination of passengers and freight.
There has been speculation that the materials were being smuggled aboard, in defiance of the airline’s rules and international aviation regulations, by secret organisations furthering SA’s weapons programmes.
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/helderberg-apartheid-secrets-buried-its-death/
EDITORIAL: Slow but sure progress with apartheid crimes
National Prosecuting Authority expects to finish investigating Truth Commission cases in three to five years
It is encouraging that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) envisages an end to the process of investigating, and where necessary prosecuting, the perpetrators of apartheid-era crimes in three to five years.
The process has taken too long, denying justice to the distressed families of the victims, who for years have been pleading for action to be taken against perpetrators — mostly committed by members of the security police — who continue to enjoy the fruits of a free society.
Progress made in more than 100 TRC-related cases
29 Nov Written by Mayibongwe Maqhina Multimedia Journalist, IOL Politics
Cape Town – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) opened more than 100 new investigations in connection with Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) cases as of the end of October.
This was revealed by acting National Director of Public Prosecutions, Rodney de Kock when the NPA briefed the justice and correctional services portfolio committee recently.
De Kock said there had been substantial progress in the management of TRC cases since they last briefed the committee in June.
“We have increased dedicated capacity both in terms of investigators and prosecutors. We also had engagements with the families,” he said.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR | FW de Klerk was not aware of any NPA deal for pre-1994 offenders
NPA Investigate 129 TRC cases
NPA REVIEWING ALL TRC CASE DECISIONS AND RECORDS
Currently, 129 cases have been enrolled and are in various stages of investigation and prosecution.
CAPE TOWN – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says it is reviewing all decisions previously taken on Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) referrals.
Currently, 129 cases have been enrolled and are in various stages of investigation and prosecution.
Deputy head of National Prosecutions Rodney De Kock has told Parliament’s justice committee they are delving into old records to make sure all matters have been dealt with.
“That balance of 171 that is referred to in some of those matters’ decisions had been made previously not to proceed with any of those matters. Now all of that is subject to review,” he said.
Some 300 cases were referred by the TRC to the NPA.
Over the last month, 64 cases have been added to the NPA’s list for investigation, review, or prosecution.
https://ewn.co.za/2022/11/26/npa-reviewing-all-trc-case-decisions-and-records
MPs slam NPA over ‘dragging’ TRC prosecutions
25 November 2022 – 20:18
MPs have lashed out at the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for the slow pace of prosecuting cases stemming from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) that probed apartheid-era human rights abuses and other crimes between 1996 and 2003.
Deputy national director of of public prosecutions Rodney de Kock told the justice portfolio committee the NPA is probing 129 cases for possible prosecution arising from TRC proceedings.
The NPA was presenting a progress report on TRC prosecutions.
“We have achieved increased engagements with the families/stakeholders. Following internal communication from the NDPP, each division submitted names and contact details of families and representatives to the national office. This is updated in monthly reports where regular reporting to families is encouraged,” De Kock said.
https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2022-11-25-mps-slam-npa-over-dragging-trc-prosecutions/
NPA SAYS IT’S EXPLAINING DELAYS TO FAMILIES OF CRADOCK FOUR
EYEWITNESS NEWS
The NPA said that it was making greater efforts to engage the families of apartheid-era crimes, after several complaints that it was failing in this regard.
CAPE TOWN – While there’s still uncertainty over whether anybody will be prosecuted for the apartheid murders of the so-called Cradock Four, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says it’s now fully engaging the victims’ families about their process.
It comes after the families have long complained about being kept in the dark about investigations they hope will lead to prosecutions.
Last year, the families even went to court to compel action on the part of the police and NPA.
On Friday, the NPA provided a quarterly update to Parliament on progress made in the referrals from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
https://ewn.co.za/2022/11/25/npa-says-it-s-explaining-delays-to-families-of-cradock-four
NPA confirms contacting most families of victims in TRC cases
NPA TO APPOINT SENIOR LEGAL COUNSEL TO REVIEW PROGRESS ON TRC CASES
EYEWITNESS NEWS
Lindsay Dentlinger | 25 November 2022 14:44
The NPA told Parliament on Friday that it wanted to work through all the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) referrals within the next three to five years.
CAPE TOWN – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said that it was taking truth and reconciliation cases very seriously.
A senior legal mind is set to be appointed soon, to review the handling of cases.
The NPA told Parliament on Friday that it wanted to work through all the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) referrals within the next three to five years.
Currently 129 cases have been enrolled.
As of last month, 64 additional apartheid-era crimes have been reopened for investigation.
Twenty-five dedicated prosecutors are working on cases across the provinces, along with 40 investigators.
https://ewn.co.za/2022/11/25/npa-to-appoint-senior-legal-counsel-to-review-progress-on-trc-cases
MEDIA STATEMENT: JUSTICE AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES COMMITTEE BRIEFED BY NPA ON PROGRESS ON TRC MATTERS
Parliament, Friday, 25 November 2022 – The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services today received a progress report from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) prosecutions.
Committee Chairperson Mr Bulelani Magwanishe said the committee commend the NPA for the progress made on the TRC cases. “We can see some light at the end of the tunnel. There is clearly some work that still needs to be done, but we note the progress. This is the reason why we initiated regular engagements with the NPA on this very emotive matter.”
South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission and what it means for SL
The Island Online: epapel.island.lk
Published 8 hours ago on
State circles in Sri Lanka have begun voicing the need for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) for the country, on the lines of South Africa’s historic TRC, and the time could not be more appropriate for a comprehensive discussion in Sri Lanka on the questions that are likely to arise for the country as a result of launching such an initiative. There is no avoiding the need for all relevant stakeholders to deliberate on what it could mean for Sri Lanka to usher a TRC of its own.
https://island.lk/south-africas-truth-and-reconciliation-commission-and-what-it-means-for-sl/
GOOD Party SG calls for reparations for apartheid victims
Published Nov 9, 2022 Written by Lehlohonolo Mashigo:
THE STAR NEWS
Johannesburg – GOOD Party secretary-general Brett Herron is worried that, to date, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has recommended the further investigation of about 300 apartheid-era cases, of which most perpetrators have died of old age.
Herron, during a speech in Parliament today, said that he had recently visited the Constitutional Court to meet a group of elderly people who have been sleeping outside in an effort to pressure the state to honour what they regard as their right to reparations for apartheid injustices.
