Inquiry into TRC cases referred to NPA to get underway

South Africa is set to revisit a painful chapter in its history as the inquiry into the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) begins on Monday morning.

The judicial commission of inquiry will investigate the alleged interference in the investgation of apartheid-era cases referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) after the TRC wrapped up in 2003.

The commission will be chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Sisi Khampepe, who will be assisted by retired Northern Cape Judge President Frans Diale Kgomo and Advocate Andrea Gabriel.

It’s been exacty 30 years since the TRC was set up as a restorative justice tool allowing perpetrators of apartheid era crimes and victims to come around the table in a bid to promote reconciliation and forgiveness.

By the end of the commission in 2003, many perpertrators had been pardoned but about 3,000 cases were referred to the NPA for further investigation and prosecution.

However, 27 years later, virtually none of those cases have been heard by a court, and the very few that have, are yet to be finalised.

In May, President Cyril Ramaphosa established the commission of inquiry as part of a law suit by 24 families against government for failing to make progress in their cases.

The commission insists it will not be a rerun of the original TRC but will limit its scope to the 3,000 cases that were referred for further investigation.

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