TRC Commission gearing up for oral testimonies on apartheid-era crimes

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Cases Inquiry, chaired by retired justice Sisi Khampepe, has announced that it has concluded its consultations with family and legal representatives and other parties who are central to its work.

As a result, the commission has set aside a preliminary timetable for receiving oral testimony by November 10, with the filing of witness statements expected to conclude by October 10, 2025.

The TRC Cases Commission revealed this on Tuesday after it concluded its pre-hearing engagements with interested parties, including family and legal representatives.

Last month, Khampepe indicated at a media briefing held in Soweto that the commission aims to be inclusive and non-adversarial, encouraging contributions from interested parties.

Commission spokesperson, Lionel Adendorg, in a statement said: "During this constructive engagement with around 60 legal and family representatives of victims and/or their respective families, as well as legal representatives for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the South African Police Services (SAPS), and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, it was also suggested that persons of interest or implicated persons are to file their statements within 20 days after being provided with the details of their alleged connection to the subject matter of the TRC Cases Inquiry."

Adendorg further said that the commissioners are considering the proposal of scheduled dates, with a draft timetable also discussed.

"The meeting discussed, among other things, how evidence will be collected and what process the inquiry will follow. A draft timetable was also discussed, and according to this proposal, the TRC inquiry is set to receive evidence and submissions from anyone with information by 10 October, and will hear oral evidence during the second week of November. At the moment, the commissioners are considering this proposal, and we will be able to communicate the decision once it has been made," he said.

In January this year, a 23-member group of victims' families filed a 260-page affidavit requesting the court to order President Cyril Ramaphosa to set up a commission of inquiry within 30 days to investigate why TRC cases have not been properly investigated or prosecuted.

Following this, in May, Ramaphosa signed a proclamation for the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry to determine whether attempts were made to prevent the investigation and prosecution of apartheid-era crimes.  

Ramaphosa subsequently appointed Khampepe as the chairperson, with retired Northern Cape Judge President Frans Diale Kgomo and Advocate Andrea Gabriel SC as her assistants.

The commission will be headquartered at the Sci-Bono Complex in Newtown, Johannesburg, CBD.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za