TRC Inquiry delayed until next year; first witness to take stand in January

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the delays in prosecuting Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) related cases will not be hearing testimonies until next year, as proceedings have stalled due to applications made by the parties involved.

The inquiry, chaired by retired Justice Sisi Khampepe, is tasked with investigating the hold-up in prosecuting TRC-related cases. Paradoxically, the investigation into delays is now facing its own delays.

President Cyril Ramaphosa established the commission in May and initially gave it six months to carry out its work. Six months later, however, the first witness has yet to take the stand, and the commission has been compelled to ask the President for an extension.

The commission’s spokesperson, Lionel Ardendorf, stated that requesting the extension was a difficult decision for retired Justice Khampepe, who is known for concluding her commissions on time and within budget.

"The motivation was the fact that the commission was announced on the 29th of May and for two months nothing has happened because the first staff member of the commission only started on the first of August."

This past week, commissioners heard arguments for the recusal of chief evidence leader, Advocate Ishmael Semenya, a matter on which the panel has not yet made a ruling.

The first witness is now scheduled to take the stand at the end of January.