South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Wednesday that a judicial commission of inquiry will be established to investigate whether attempts were made to block investigations or prosecutions of apartheid-era crimes. The decision comes after a court case filed by the families of victims of political killings and disappearances, who claim that post-apartheid governments failed to properly investigate these crimes.
The presidency stated, “Allegations of improper influence in delaying or hindering the investigation and prosecution of apartheid-era crimes have persisted from previous administrations.” Ramaphosa aims for the commission to uncover the truth and bring the matter to a resolution.
Following the end of apartheid in 1994, South Africa established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to uncover human rights violations. The TRC handed over several hundred cases to prosecutors, but many were never pursued.
In January, 25 family members and survivors filed a case in a Pretoria court, seeking 167 million rand ($9 million) in damages from the state. The government plans to request that the application be suspended pending the commission’s findings, though no timeline has been given.
The Foundation for Human Rights, which supports the families, welcomed the commission but criticized Ramaphosa’s decision to delay a ruling on the damages claim, saying the commission lacked the authority to address such matters.