Latest news with #R167
Eyewitness News
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Inquiry into unprosecuted TRC cases meant to bring families closure, says Ramaphosa
MPUMALANGA - President Cyril Ramaphosa has said that the newly announced commission of inquiry into unprosecuted Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) cases is a fact-finding mission meant to bring closure to families who lost loved ones during apartheid. After its completion in 2003, the TRC referred more than 400 cases to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). But there has been widespread criticism about the lack of accountability for apartheid-era atrocities like murder and torture. Earlier this year, some families brought an application against Ramaphosa and five other heads of departments seeking R167 million in damages, accusing them of allegedly "suppressing" investigations into cases referred to the NPA by the TRC. The terms of reference and the names of people appointed to lead the inquiry established by the president are yet to be announced. Speaking on the sidelines of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU)'s annual Workers' Day rally in Mpumalanga on Thursday, Ramaphosa explained his thinking behind the inquiry. "People were killed, people were maimed and injured, and families want to know exactly what happened. And they also want to know what gave rise to us a government having slow movement in investigating those cases and prosecuting them. "We are doing exactly that, so that the people can have closure, so that people responsible for atrocities can be brought to book, so that we can also correct our own errors of correcting things that happened in the past," said Ramaphosa.
Eyewitness News
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Ramaphosa wants to find out why apartheid-era crimes from TRC have not been prosecuted
JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa said he wanted to get to the bottom of why apartheid-era crimes from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) had not been its completion in 2003, the TRC referred more than 400 cases to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).However, families of victims of apartheid have bemoaned the slow pace of the NPA to bring them this year, some families brought an application against Ramaphosa and five other heads of departments seeking R167 million in damages and accusing them of allegedly "suppressing" investigations into cases referred to the NPA by the spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said that Ramaphosa would be establishing a commission of inquiry as part of an out-of-court settlement with the families. "Allegations of improper influence in delaying or hindering the investigation and prosecution of apartheid-era crimes have persisted from previous administrations. Through this commission, President Ramaphosa is determined that the true facts be established and the matter brought to finality."
Eyewitness News
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Ramaphosa to establish Judicial Commission of Inquiry into prosecution of apartheid-era crimes
JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa will be establishing a Judicial Commission of Inquiry (JCI) to investigate allegations of 'improper influence' to prevent the prosecution of apartheid-era crimes. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) made more than 400 referrals to the National Prosecuting Authority, however, there has been criticism that the NPA has not followed through on the cases. Earlier in 2025, some families of victims of apartheid-era crimes brought an application against Ramaphosa and five other heads of departments seeking R167 million in damages for allegedly "suppressing" investigations into cases referred to the NPA by the TRC. In a statement, Ramaphosa said the establishment of an inquiry is due to an out-of-court settlement reached with the families. Presidency spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said, 'Allegations of improper influence in delaying or hindering the investigation and prosecution of apartheid-era crimes have persisted from previous administrations. Through this commission, President Ramaphosa is determined that the true facts be established and the matter brought to finality.' ALSO READ: NPA says reopening inquests into apartheid-era crimes a complex process
News24
29-04-2025
- Politics
- News24
Ramaphosa agrees to establish inquiry into alleged sabotage of apartheid prosecutions
Families of victims of apartheid-era atrocities, victims and survivors have won a bittersweet breakthrough as President Cyril Ramaphosa commits to probing political interference that stalled Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)-recommended prosecutions. The families and survivors as well as the Foundation for Human Rights (FHR) are suing Ramaphosa and government for constitutional damages and an order forcing the president to institute the inquiry. The president withdrew his intention to oppose the lawsuit and has now undertaken to establish a commission of inquiry to investigate the alleged political interference in the apartheid crimes referred for prosecution by the TRC. WATCH | Apartheid victims' early victory in R167 million apartheid damages lawsuit The applicants welcomed the commitment but rejected Ramaphosa's proposal for the commission also to deal with the declaration of their rights and the constitutional damages claim. According to the foundation, the proposal was legally flawed as the commission had no power to determine rights and remedies. The FHR said in a statement: The applicants are very disappointed at the about-turn of the president. In February, the president stated in the media that he deeply appreciated the pain experienced by the families for the many years they had been denied justice. He stated firmly that they needed closure. The president withdrew his notice to oppose the court case and publicly called for mediation to resolve the issues raised by the families and survivors. According to the FHR, the applicants viewed Ramaphosa's statement as the first serious acknowledgement of their plight after years of silence on the part of the authorities. The organisation said the statement that mediation was the way forward was particularly welcomed, as it suggested that the president was "serious about resolving" their issues expeditiously. The FHR, however, lamented that yet, just weeks later, Ramaphosa rebuffed all attempts by the families to commence mediation and, instead of entering into mediation, has decided to offload the declaration of rights and constitutional damages onto a commission of inquiry, which has no authority to deal with it, aside from offering advice. The foundation said in the statement released on Tuesday: This fundamental shortcoming was pointed out to the President's legal team, as well as the fact that it will likely result in the issues remaining unresolved for years. This will perpetuate the pain and trauma that the families and survivors have experienced for many years. In the circumstances, the President's statements made in February acknowledging the pain of families and calling for closure and mediation cannot be taken seriously. His extraordinary about-turn has caused the families much anguish. According to the outcomes of the out-of-court settlement negotiations, Ramaphosa will establish the commission by the end of May. However, although he withdrew his opposition to the case, FHR has lamented that the president has since refused to engage in mediation on the constitutional damages and the declaration of rights. The organisation said Ramaphosa has since decided that, despite the applicants' objections, he will proceed to promulgate terms of the reference for the commission that will include the claim for constitutional damages and the declaration of rights. The president will also apply to the court to stop the litigation from proceeding pending the outcome of the commission of inquiry.
