TRC inquiry faces roadblocks as govt depts, agencies lack compliance

The inquiry into Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) cases has expressed frustration over a lack of cooperation from key government departments and agencies.

The inquiry, established by President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate alleged interference and efforts to halt the prosecution of TRC cases, claims some departments have not been forthcoming, leading to a lack of compliance with various requests for information.

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Over 20 years since the TRC concluded, almost all of the 300 apartheid-era cases referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for prosecution have failed to make progress.

Following the first pre-hearing engagement in September, the inquiry asked interested and affected parties to submit witnessstatements, memorandums, reports, and other documentary evidence.

The inquiry then issued letters to current and former presidents, and the Ministers of Police and Justice, as well as National and Provincial Directors of Public Prosecutions.

Due to a lack of responses, the TRC cases inquiry issued another directive and requests for information. However, the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Department of Justice, The Presidency, and the Parliamentary Committee on Justice have allegedly been non-compliant.

"This has an obvious direct impact on our work and our ability to prepare for the hearings set for 10 November," said Lionel Adendorf, spokesperson of the TRC Cases Inquiry.

Despite these claims of non-compliance, the inquiry said it doesn't expect delays to the start of the hearings.