TRC Cases Inquiry issues first directive to force compliance after implicated parties miss deadline

With just four weeks to go before the start of an inquiry into alleged interference in prosecuting Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) cases, it’s hit a snag.

None of the people implicated in allegations of attempts and efforts to stop, interfere or collude with the NPA or SAPS has complied with last Friday’s deadline to provide the commission with statements and information.

It’s led the inquiry chairperson, Judge Sisi Khampepe, to issue the inquiry’s first directive to force compliance.

In September, the commission sent letters to former presidents, ministers of justice and provincial prosecuting heads and police commissioners, among others, to provide information and to answer to the interference allegations.

But despite the inquiry being promulgated in May, only one interested party made a submission.

Former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma, meanwhile, have asked for more time, as has former justice minister, Bridgette Mabandla.

They were in charge when it was claimed that the investigation and prosecution of TRC cases were blocked.

Failure to comply with the commission’s first directive issued on Tuesday to provide the requested information by 24 October could see consequences for implicated parties, while the commission can also summons any person to produce documents in their possession.

"While this refusal to cooperate with the TRC Cases Inquiry undermines, impedes and frustrates the inquiry’s work, the inquiry will not allow these attempts to sabotage our determined resolve to uncover the truth and bring justice to those who have been yearning for it," said spokesperson Lionel Adendorf.

Despite the struggle for information and compliance, the secretariat remains hopeful the inquiry will start as planned on 10 November.