TRC Cases Inquiry halted as recusal row erupts

Family members of Apartheid-era victims were left disappointed on Monday after the Commission of Inquiry into the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) stalled without hearing testimony.

The commission, which is investigating allegations of political interference in TRC-related prosecutions, did not proceed as planned due to a recusal application against the Chief Evidence Leader.

READ: TRC inquiry: Over 20 families seek damages for SA gov’s failure to investigate Apartheid-era crimes

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Justice Department are seeking to have Advocate Ishmael Semenya recuse himself. Their grounds are that he previously advised the NPA and represented it in court in matters related to the TRC.

Proceedings have been postponed until later in the month to allow all parties time to prepare their arguments regarding the recusal application.

However, the delay has angered some, including Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane, whose sister was murdered allegedly by Apartheid police.

"What angers me more is that the state did not discover the registration of Semenya this morning ,they knew," Minister Simelane said. "So they could have approached the Chair, they could have approached the commission, they could have filed their papers if they are not in agreement with Advocate Semenya, rather than us coming in this shabby manner."

She added, "I am livid actually when I get to think about it, but it's okay, we work with what we have."

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