South Africa Launches Judicial Inquiry Into Apartheid-Era Crimes Prosecution Delays
President Ramaphosa Orders Probe Into Political Interference Allegations
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a judicial inquiry into allegations of political interference in the prosecution of apartheid-era crimes. This move comes three decades after the end of white-minority rule and follows a lawsuit by survivors and victims’ families demanding justice.
Video credit to: The Hot Seat SA
Decades-Long Struggle for Justice
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), established in 1996, documented numerous apartheid-era atrocities including murder and torture. However, few cases ever reached trial, leaving many victims without justice.
In a presidential statement, Ramaphosa emphasized his determination to “establish the true facts and bring the matter to finality.”
Lawsuit Spurs Government Action
The investigation results from settlement talks in a high court case filed by 25 families and survivors seeking $9m (£6.8m) in damages. The plaintiffs argue that successive governments failed to properly investigate apartheid-era crimes.
The Cradock Four Case
Among the plaintiffs is the son of Fort Calata, one of the Cradock Four activists brutally murdered by security forces in 1985. While six former officers confessed to the TRC, they were denied amnesty yet never prosecuted. All have since died.
ANC Denies Secret Deal Allegations
Critics have long alleged the post-apartheid ANC government made secret agreements with the former white-minority regime to prevent prosecutions. The ANC consistently denies these claims.
The presidency acknowledged persistent allegations of “improper influence” in handling apartheid-era cases across multiple administrations.
Next Steps
Authorities will soon announce the inquiry’s leadership and timeline, marking a significant step toward addressing one of South Africa’s most painful unresolved chapters.