JOHANNESBURG – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the formation of a judicial commission of inquiry to determine whether state actors interfered with efforts to investigate or prosecute crimes committed during the apartheid era.
The move follows a court case initiated by families of victims of political violence and disappearances during apartheid, who argue that successive democratic governments have failed to pursue justice for these crimes. According to a statement from the presidency, the commission will address long-standing allegations of political interference that delayed or prevented criminal investigations.
“Through this commission, President Ramaphosa is determined that the true facts be established and the matter brought to finality,” the statement read.
In the wake of apartheid’s fall in 1994, South Africa established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to document human rights abuses and promote national healing. While the TRC handed over hundreds of cases for potential prosecution, many were never acted upon.
The court case—filed in January by 25 survivors and relatives of victims—also seeks 167 million rand (roughly $9 million) in damages from the state. The government now plans to ask the court to suspend this application until the commission completes its work.
The Foundation for Human Rights, which supports the families, welcomed the inquiry but sharply criticised the government’s attempt to delay the damages claim. “Instead of entering into mediation, he has decided to offload the declaration of rights and constitutional damages onto a commission of inquiry, which has no authority to deal with it,” the NGO said in a statement. No timeline has been announced for the commission’s work.